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






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






3. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






4. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






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






6. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






7. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






8. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






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






10. 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.






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






12. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






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






14. To shift to another key.






15. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






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






17. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






18. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






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






20. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






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






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






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






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






25. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






26. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






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






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






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






30. The unit of musical rhythm.






31. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






32. Pertains to tone or tones.






33. Unmusical - without tone.






34. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






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






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






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






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






40. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






41. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






42. A short or brief sonata.






43. A short light musical drama.






44. The distance in pitch between two notes.






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






46. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






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






48. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






49. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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