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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






2. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






3. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






4. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






5. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






6. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






7. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






8. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






9. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






10. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






11. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






12. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






13. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






14. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






15. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






16. A string of chords played in succession.






17. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






18. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






19. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






20. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






21. A symbol indicating to play loud.






22. Group of singers in a chorus.






23. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






24. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






25. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






26. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






27. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






28. A short light musical drama.






29. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






30. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






31. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






32. To shift to another key.






33. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






34. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






35. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






36. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






37. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






38. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






39. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






40. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






41. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






42. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






43. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






44. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






45. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






46. A group singing in unison.






47. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






48. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






49. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






50. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.