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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. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






2. A reprise.






3. 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.






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






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






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






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






8. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






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






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






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






12. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






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






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






15. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






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






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






18. A symbol indicating to play loud.






19. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






20. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






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






22. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






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






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






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






26. A composition written for eight instruments.






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






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






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






30. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






31. Repetition of a single tone.






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






33. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






34. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






35. The first violin in an orchestra.






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






37. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






38. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






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






40. Lowest female singing voice.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






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