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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 lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






2. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






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






4. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






5. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






6. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






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






8. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






9. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






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






11. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






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






13. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






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






15. Indicating speed.






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






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






18. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






19. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






20. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






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






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






23. Indicating speed.






24. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






26. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






27. The movement of chords in succession.






28. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






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






30. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






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






33. 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.






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






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






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






37. 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.






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






39. A repeated phrase.






40. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






41. A direction to play lively and fast.






42. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






43. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






44. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






45. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






46. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






47. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






48. Group of singers in a chorus.






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






50. Repetition of a single tone.