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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 symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






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






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






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






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






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






7. 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.






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






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






10. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






12. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






13. A string of chords played in succession.






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






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






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






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






18. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






19. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






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






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






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






23. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






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






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






26. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






27. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






28. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






29. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






30. 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.






31. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






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






33. 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.






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






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






36. 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.






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






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






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






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






41. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






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






43. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






45. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






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






47. Repetition of a single tone.






48. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






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






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