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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. Unmusical - without tone.






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






3. A direction to play lively and fast.






4. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






5. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






6. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






7. The highest female voice.






8. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






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






10. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






11. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






13. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






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






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






16. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






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






18. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






19. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






20. A direction to play lively and fast.






21. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






22. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






23. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






24. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






25. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






26. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






28. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






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






30. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






31. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






32. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






33. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






34. A composition written for eight instruments.






35. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






36. A direction to play expressively.






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






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






39. 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.






40. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






41. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






42. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






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






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






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






46. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






47. Pertains to tone or tones.






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






49. The distance in pitch between two notes.






50. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.