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






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






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






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






5. Group of singers in a chorus.






6. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






7. A symbol indicating to play loud.






8. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






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






10. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






11. A reprise.






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






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






14. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






15. A repeated phrase.






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






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






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






19. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






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






21. 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.






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






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






24. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






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






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






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






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






29. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






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






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






32. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






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






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






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






37. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






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






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






40. Pertains to tone or tones.






41. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






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






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






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






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






46. 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.






47. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






48. The unit of musical rhythm.






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






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