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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 rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






2. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






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






4. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






5. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






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






7. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






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






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






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






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






12. 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.






13. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






14. 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.






15. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






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






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






18. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






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






20. Sliding between two notes.






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






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






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






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






25. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






26. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






27. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






28. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






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






30. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






31. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






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






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






34. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






35. A string of chords played in succession.






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






37. A separate section of a larger composition.






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






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






40. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






41. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






42. 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.






43. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






44. 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.






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






46. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






47. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






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






49. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






50. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.