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






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






3. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






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






5. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






6. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






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






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






10. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






11. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






12. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






13. 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.






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






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






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






17. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






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






19. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






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






21. A direction to play lively and fast.






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






23. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






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






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






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






27. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






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






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






30. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






32. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






33. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






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






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






36. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






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






38. Lowest female singing voice.






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






40. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






42. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






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






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






45. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






48. A short or brief sonata.






49. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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