Basic Music Vocabulary Trivia Questions!
This is a beginning-of-the-year quiz to determine the strength of my middle school and high school choir students' basic music vocabulary and to determine which concepts and vocabulary may need review.
- 1.
What is the name we give to the exact highness or lowness of a single tone? Remember, tone means musical sound.
- A.
Tune
- B.
Pitch
- C.
Melody
- D.
Song
Correct Answer
B. PitchExplanation
Pitch is the name we give to the exact highness or lowness of a single tone. In music, pitch refers to the frequency of a sound wave, with higher frequencies producing higher pitches and lower frequencies producing lower pitches. Pitch is a fundamental element in music and is used to create melodies, harmonies, and chords. It is different from tune, which refers to a specific arrangement of pitches, melody, which is a sequence of pitches, and song, which is a composition of music and lyrics.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What do we call a series of pitches which form a tune? This is the part of the song we hum when we remember it.
- A.
Harmony
- B.
Rhythm
- C.
Beat
- D.
Melody
Correct Answer
D. MelodyExplanation
A melody refers to a series of pitches that are arranged in a specific order to form a tune. It is the part of the song that we hum or remember. Melodies are the main focus of a song and often carry the lyrics or main musical theme. They are what make a song memorable and distinguishable from other songs.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What do we call the unchanging, repeated pulse that we can feel and count in music?
- A.
Steady Beat
- B.
Melody
- C.
Harmony
- D.
Tune
Correct Answer
A. Steady BeatExplanation
The unchanging, repeated pulse that we can feel and count in music is called the steady beat. It provides a consistent rhythm and serves as the foundation for the music. Melody refers to a sequence of notes played in a specific order, harmony refers to the combination of different notes played together, and tune refers to a catchy or memorable melody. However, none of these options accurately describe the unchanging pulse in music.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the name for the way short and long sounds and silences are combined in time? Remember that this combination of short and long sounds and silences is built on the steady beat.
- A.
Melody
- B.
Harmony
- C.
Tune
- D.
Rhythm
Correct Answer
D. RhythmExplanation
Rhythm is the correct answer because it refers to the way short and long sounds and silences are combined in time. It is the pattern of beats and accents that gives music its flow and groove. Rhythm is built on a steady beat, and it is the foundation upon which melody, harmony, and tune are built.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What do we call two or more pitches or melodies sounding at the same time?
- A.
Harmony
- B.
Orchestra
- C.
Rhythm
- D.
Singing
Correct Answer
A. HarmonyExplanation
Harmony refers to two or more pitches or melodies sounding at the same time. It is the combination of different musical notes played together to create a pleasing and balanced sound. Harmony adds depth, richness, and texture to music, enhancing the overall musical experience. It is an essential element in various genres of music, including classical, jazz, and pop.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The unique sound of each voice or instrument is called:
- A.
Melody
- B.
Difference
- C.
Tone Color
- D.
Pitch
Correct Answer
C. Tone ColorExplanation
Tone color refers to the unique sound quality that distinguishes each voice or instrument. It is the characteristic that allows us to differentiate between different musical sounds. Melody refers to a sequence of notes played in a specific order, difference is not a term commonly used in music theory, and pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a sound. Therefore, tone color is the correct answer as it specifically relates to the unique sound of each voice or instrument.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What do we call the order in which same, similar, and different sections are organized to build one song or musical work?
- A.
Form
- B.
Sectioning
- C.
Harmony
- D.
Tone Color
Correct Answer
A. FormExplanation
Form refers to the structure or organization of a musical work. It is the arrangement of different sections such as verses, choruses, and bridges that come together to create a cohesive song. Form provides a framework for the composition and helps to guide the listener through the various parts of the music. It allows for repetition, contrast, and development of musical ideas, ultimately shaping the overall structure and flow of the piece.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What do we call the section of the song with the same lyrics and the same melody EVERY time?
- A.
Chorus
- B.
Refrain
- C.
Verse
- D.
Chorus OR Refrain
- E.
Chorus OR Verse
Correct Answer
D. Chorus OR RefrainExplanation
The section of a song with the same lyrics and the same melody every time is called the chorus or refrain. The chorus is a repeated section that typically contains the main message or theme of the song, while the refrain is a repeated section that often comes after each verse. Both terms can be used interchangeably to refer to this specific section of a song.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What do you do with music that appears between these two symbols?
- A.
Skip it.
- B.
Sing it louder.
- C.
Only a soloist sings it.
- D.
Repeat it. Perform it twice.
Correct Answer
D. Repeat it. Perform it twice.Explanation
The correct answer is "Repeat it. Perform it twice." This means that when you encounter music between these two symbols, you should repeat and perform it twice. This indicates that the section of music should be played or sung twice, rather than being skipped, sung louder, or only performed by a soloist.Rate this question:
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Nov 16, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 07, 2009Quiz Created by
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