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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 repeated phrase.






2. A direction to play expressively.






3. A short light musical drama.






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






5. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






6. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






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






8. A short or brief sonata.






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






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






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






12. 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.






13. Pertains to tone or tones.






14. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






15. Indicating speed.






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






17. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






18. A group singing in unison.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






28. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






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






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






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






32. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






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






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






35. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






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






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






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






39. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






40. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






41. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






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






43. A direction to play lively and fast.






44. A reprise.






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






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






47. 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.






48. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






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






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