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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. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






2. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






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






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






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






6. Unmusical - without tone.






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






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






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






10. A reprise.






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






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






13. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






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






15. 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.






16. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






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






18. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






19. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






20. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






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






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






23. A direction to play expressively.






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






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






26. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






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






28. A symbol indicating to play loud.






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






30. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






31. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






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






33. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






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






35. Suite of Baroque dances.






36. 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.






37. Repetition of a single tone.






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






39. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






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






41. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






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






43. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






44. A direction to play lively and fast.






45. A repeated phrase.






46. 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.






47. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






48. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






49. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






50. A group singing in unison.