Test your basic knowledge |

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. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






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






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






4. A string of chords played in succession.






5. 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.






6. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






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






8. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






9. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






10. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






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






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






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






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






15. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






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






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






18. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






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






20. 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.






21. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






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






23. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






24. The principal note of a triad.






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






26. 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.






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






28. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






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






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






31. Repetition of a single tone.






32. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






33. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






34. Indicating speed.






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






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






37. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






39. A short or brief sonata.






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






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






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






43. A group singing in unison.






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






45. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






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






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






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






49. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






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