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






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






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






4. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






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






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






7. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






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






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






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






11. 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.






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






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






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






15. Repetition of a single tone.






16. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






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






18. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






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






20. The structure of a piece of music.






21. Pertains to tone or tones.






22. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






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






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






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






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






27. 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.






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






29. The first violin in an orchestra.






30. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






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






32. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






33. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






34. Suite of Baroque dances.






35. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






36. 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.






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






38. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






39. Closing section of a movement.






40. 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.






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






42. 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.






43. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






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






45. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






46. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






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






49. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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