Test your basic knowledge |

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. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






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






3. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






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






5. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






6. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






7. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






9. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






10. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






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






12. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






13. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






14. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






15. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






16. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






17. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






18. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






19. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






20. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






21. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






22. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






23. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






24. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






25. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






26. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






27. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






28. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






29. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






30. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






31. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






32. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






33. Indicating speed.






34. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






35. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






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






37. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






38. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






39. 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.






40. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






41. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






42. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






43. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






44. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






45. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






46. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






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






48. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






49. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






50. Lowest female singing voice.