Music Appreciation Exam 1

Which diagram shows the greatest amount of musical contrast? a. A B C b. A B A c. A A' A'' A''' d. A B A B

a. A B C

The chromatic scale consists of: a. half steps b. whole steps c. a certain combination of half steps and whole steps d. a variable number of half steps and whole steps

a. half steps

The effect of chords used with a melody is called: a. harmony b. texture c. melody d. rhythm

a. harmony

Pitch is the quality of: a. highness or lowness of a sound b. loudness or softness of a sound c. brightness or dullness of a sound d. the speed of travel of sound waves

a. highness or lowness of a sound

Groupings of several pitches sounded simultaneously are referred to as: a. octaves b. chromatic scales c. melodies d. chords

d. chords

A chord that creates a sense of rest can be described as: a. dissonant b. homophonic c. imitative d. consonant

d. consonant

Sound is produced on a clarinet by: a. blowing on a reed b. pushing fingers on the keys c. blowing across a hole in the mouthpiece d. plucking a string

a. blowing on a reed

The country of origin for the diatonic scale is: a. England b. France c. Greece d. Italy

c. Greece

The musical term for the effect called for by dots placed above or below notes is: a. legato b. staccato c. adagio d. largo

b. staccato

Which list names the flute family in order from highest pitch range to lowest pitch range? a. bass flute, alto flute, flute, piccolo b. flute, piccolo, alto flute, bass flute c. piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute d. flute, piccolo, bass flute, recorder

c. piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute

Tempo is the term for the: a. number of beats per measure b. arrangement of short and long notes c. arrangement of rhythms over the meter d. speed at which beats follow one another

d. speed at which beats follow one another

Placement of accents away from their normal stresses in the meter results in: a. nonmetrical music b. simple triple meter c. compound triple meter d. syncopation

d. syncopation

A healthy human ear can hear from ___________ to ___________ cycles of sound vibrations per second a. 10;20 b. 20; 20,000 c. 20; 440 d. 20; 440,000

b. 20; 20,000

In which language are dynamics generally described? a. German b. Italian c. English d. French

b. Italian

Which grouping shows simple meter? a. ONE two three four five six, ONE two three four five six b. ONE two three four, ONE two three four c. ONE two three four five six seven eight nine, ONE two three four five six seven eight nine d. ONE two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve, ONE two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve

b. ONE two three four, ONE two three four

Scales are made up of: a. twelve pitches b. a different number of pitches in each culture c. no fewer than five and no more than twelve pitches d. eight pitches

b. a different number of pitches in each culture

Which notational device shortens the rhythmic value of a note by one half? a. a dot b. a flag c. a slur d. a tie

b. a flag

Which is NOT an example of "beating time"? a. a conductor waving a hand b. a pianist playing an intricate, complicated rhythm c. a drum major moving a baton up and down d. a listener tapping a foot

b. a pianist playing an intricate, complicated rhythm

Which set of tempo markings is arranged in order from faster to slower? a. moderato, allegro, presto b. allegro, moderato, andante c. allegro, presto, andante d. largo, moderato, presto

b. allegro, moderato, andante

The moments at the ends of phrases where a melody pauses or stops altogether are called: a. climaxes b. cadences c. contrasts d. balances

b. cadences

Which shows the correct order from lowest range to highest range in the violin family? a. double bass, viola, cello, violin b. double bass, cello, viola, violin c. violin, viola, cello, double bass d. double bass, violin, viola, cello

b. double bass, cello, viola, violin

A metronome indicates: a. the arrangement of rhythms over meter b. the number of beats per measure c. an exact number of beats per minute for the desired tempo d. where the accented beats fall in each measure

c. an exact number of beats per minute for the desired tempo

The distance between two pitches that seem to duplicate each other and blend very well together is called: a. diatonic b. a sale c. an octave d. chromatic

c. an octave

Which is a brass instrument? a. oboe b. English horn c. bugle d. bassoon

c. bugle

Repetition of elements, like melody in form: a. can only be exact; otherwise it is not a true repetition b. can occur only with some variation, however small c. can trigger an emotional click when the tune reoccurs later in a piece d. is rarely used by composer

c. can trigger an emotional click when the tune reoccurs later in a piece

The bassoon has a comparable range to which of the following instruments? a. viola b. oboe c. cello d. French horn

c. cello

The saxophone's tone color is similar to that of the: a. flute b. bassoon c. clarinet d. oboe

c. clarinet

Most tunes have a high point. The musical term for this is: a. modulation b. cadence c. climax d. theme

c. climax

Which term indicates a gradual increase in dynamic level? a. diminuendo b. decrescendo c. crescendo d. mezzo forte

c. crescendo

In rhythmic notation ___________ and ___________ call for the same effect a. ties; slurs b. ties; beams c. flags; beams d. dots: rests

c. flags; beams

When a melody is accompanied with chords, the melody is: a. dissonant b. polyphonic c. harmonized d. chromaticized

c. harmonized

How is musical time measured? a. in decibels b. in cycles c. in beats d. in seconds

c. in beats

Low pitches result from: a. short vibrating elements b. quickly vibrating elements c. long vibrating elements d. slowly vibrating elements

c. long vibrating elements

Any recurring pattern of strong and weak beats is called a(n): a. accent b. beat c. meter d. sforzando

c. meter

Moving from one key to another in the middle of a composition is called: a. disjunct b. dissonant c. modulation d. counterpoint

c. modulation

The three main textures of Western art music are: a. monophony, polyphony, and counterpoint b. monophony, non-imitative polyphony, and imitative homophony c. monophony, homonphony, and polyphony d. monophony, imitative monophony, and non-imitative polyphony

c. monophony, homophony, and polyphony

Which keyboard instrument is known as the "king of instruments"? a. clavichord b. piano c. organ d. harpsichord

c. organ

What dynamic indication is the softest? a. piano b. fortissimo c. pianissimo d. mezzo piano

c. pianissimo

A musical composition takes on its form through: a. modulation and returning to the tonic key b. meter and tempo c. variation of melody and rhythm d. repetition and contrast

d. repetition and contrast

The broad term for the time aspect of music is: a. volume b. meter c. tempo d. rhythm

d. rhythm

Which term refers to the specific arrangements of long and short notes in music? a. tempo b. meter c. beat d. rhythm

d. rhythm

A melodic pattern of pitches that is repeated at different pitch levels is called a: a. chord b. key change c. phrase d. sequence

d. sequence

An individual movement of music is often referred to by its: a. meter b. dynamic marking c. rhythm d. tempo indication

d. tempo indication

The texture that combines two or more individual melody lines simultaneously is: a. monophony b. consonant c. homophony d. polyphony

d. polyphony

Which grouping shows triple meter? a. ONE two three, ONE two three b. ONE two, ONE two, ONE two c. ONE two three four, ONE two three four d. ONE two three four five six, ONE two three four five six

a. ONE two three, ONE two three

Which is an example of nonmetrical music? a. a Gregorian chant b. a march c. popular dance music d. Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag"

a. a Gregorian chant

The diatonic scale consists of: a. a particular arrangement of whole steps and half steps b. a variable number of whole steps and half steps c. all half steps d. all whole steps

a. a particular arrangement of whole steps and half steps

Tone color is the musical term for the general quality of: a. a sound b. a melody c. a performance d. rhythmic combination

a. a sound

The harp's use in the orchestra is mainly: a. as a special effect rather than as a regularly occurring tone color b. to provide a duet role with the strings c. to create a rhythmic effect d. for Baroque-era music

a. as a special effect rather than as a regularly occurring tone color

Motives are by definition: a. brief b. elaborate c. harmonic d. parallel

a. brief

A chord that sounds discordant, unstable or in need of resolution is called: a. dissonant b. a motive c. non-imitative d. consonant

a. dissonant

A way to connect the beginning, middle, and end of a musical piece is through the use of: a. form b. texture c. meter d. tone color

a. form

The scientific term for the speed or rate of the vibrations of sound is: a. frequency b. dynamics c. tempo d. pitch

a. frequency

Which term indicates the slowest tempo? a. grave b. moderato c. adagio d. larghetto

a. grave

The musical term for the effect called for by slurs in music is: a. legato b. staccato c. adagio d. sforzando

a. legato

Which mode is formed with the diatonic scale oriented around C (do)? a. major b. minor c. tonic d. chromatic

a. major

An organized series of pitches played or sung in a certain rhythm is called a: a. melody b. phrase c. tune d. sequence

a. melody

What is the criterion for organizing the instruments of the orchestra in their present families? a. method of production of sound vibrations b. range of pitches possible c. capacity for dynamic contrasts d. tone color

a. method of production of sound vibrations

The texture of a single melody played without accompaniment is a. monophony b. homophony c. polyphony d. imitative counterpoint

a. monophony

Which symbol name indicates that a note should be raised one half step? a. sharp b. flat c. staccato d. ledger line

a. sharp

What, in scientific terminology, is amplitude? a. the level of strength of sound vibrations b. the size of a musical instrument c. how high or low a pitch is d. the relative speed of the beat or rhythm

a. the level of strength of sound vibrations

A change in key indicates a change in: a. the location of the tonic b. half and whole steps c. tone color d. chords

a. the location of the tonic

What is another term for tone color? a. timbre b. rhythm c. pitch d. volume

a. timbre

Music that centers around a fundamental "home" pitch is described as: a. tonal b. consonant c. homophonic d. imitative

a. tonal

Imitative polyohony occurs when: a. various musical lines are heard one after another with the same melody or similar melodies b. the melody is heard in one line and the other parts have clearly less important material that forms an accompaniment c. all musical lines are heard simultaneously, but each has a different melody d. all voices or parts are heard simultaneously with the same melody

a. various musical lines are heard one after another with the same melody or similar melodies

A measure of bar is: a. the time aspect of music b. each occurrence of a repeated pattern of a principal strong beat and one or more weaker beats c. the length of the vibrating body d. one beat that is emphasized more than the others in a recurring pattern of strong and weak beats

b. each occurrence of a repeated pattern of a principal strong beat and one or more weaker beats

Which symbol name indicates that a note should be lowered one half step? a. sharp b. flat c. staccato d. ledger line

b. flat

Which list names woodwind instruments that have approximately the same pitch range? a. flute, oboe, trumpet b. flute, oboe, clarinet c. clarinet. oboe, French horn d. flute, violin, oboe

b. flute, oboe, clarinet

The arrangement, relationship, or organization of elements in music is called: a. tone b. form c. symmetry d. texture

b. form

What is the main skill involved in hearing form in music? a. singing b. memory c. pitch identification d. rhythm

b. memory

What is the musical term for "medium"? a. subito b. mezzo c. diminuendo d. sforzando

b. mezzo

Which mode is formed with the diatonic scale oriented around A (la)? a. major b. minor c. tonic d. chromatic

b. minor

When you sing in the shower, the texture is most likely to be: a. polyphonic b. monophonic c. imitative d. homophonic

b. monophonic

The shortest identifiable melodic idea is called a: a. half step b. motive c. phrase d. tune

b. motive

In musical notation, the vertical aspect represents _____________ while the horizontal aspect represents _____________ a. volume; time b. pitch; time c. time; pitch d. time; volume

b. pitch; time

Plucking the string of a stringed instrument is called: a. legato b. pizzicato c. counterpoint d. violoncello

b. pizzicato

Which terms indicates the fastest tempo? a. vivace b. prestissimo c. allegro d. allegretto

b. prestissimo

In a piece of music that can be diagrammed as A B A, the A indicates ___________ and the B indicates ___________ a. contrast; repetition b. repetition; contrast c. variation; contrast d. contrast; variation

b. repetition; contrast

Though there are exceptions, music in minor mode can sometimes be described as ___________, whereas that in major mode can sometimes be described as ___________ a. happy; sad b. sad; happy c. dissonant; consonant d. monophonic; homophonic

b. sad; happy

Tunes tend to be: a. long and elaborate b. simple and easily singable c. experienced separate from rhythm d. complex structures

b. simple and easily singable

Music can be defined as the art of: a. arranging sound vibrations into high and low pitches b. sound in time c. melody and rhythm d. tone color and duration

b. sound in time

What is the musical term for "suddenly"? a. mezzo b. subito c. forte d. molto

b. subito

Which musical element is perceived in the "vertical dimension"? a. rhythm b. texture c. tone color d. dynamics

b. texture

An interval is: a. the pitch range of an instrument or voice b. the distance or difference between two pitches c. a segment of vibrating string on a violin, viola, cello, or bass d. the time it takes to perform one tune

b. the distance or difference between two pitches

In songs, musical phrases generally coincide with: a. the meter b. the lines of poetry c. sequences d. dynamic changes

b. the lines of poetry

Homophony occurs when a. various musical lines are heard one after another with the same melody or similar melodies b. the melody is heard in one line and the other parts have clearly less important material that forms an accompaniment c. all musical lines are heard simultaneously, but each has a different melody d. all voices or parts are heard simultaneously with the same melody

b. the melody is heard in one line and the other parts have clearly less important material that forms an accompaniment

What determines the tone color of a sound? a. the length of the sound-producing body b. the number and proportion of overtones and the way they vibrate together c. the loudness of the sound produced d. the pitch of the sound produced

b. the number and proportion of overtones and the way they vibrate together

The principle of organizing music around a central, or "home", pitch is called: a. consonance b. tonality c. dissonance d. harmony

b. tonality

Which lists the brass family in order from the lowest range to the highest range? a. trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba b. tuba, trombone, French horn, trumpet c. tuba, trumpet, trombone, French horn d. French horn, tuba, trombone, trumpet

b. tuba, trombone, French horn, trumpet

The definition of rhythm as a general term is the: a. organization of beats by accent b. way music unfolds in time c. speed of the beat d. relative duration of every note in a musical composition

b. way music unfolds in time

Which of these instruments is capable of playing melodies? a. triangle b. xylophone c. tam-tam d. cymbals

b. xylophone

Which grouping shows duple meter? a. ONE two three, ONE two three b. ONE two THREE four FIVE six, ONE two THREE four FIVE six c. ONE two, ONE two, ONE two, ONE two d. ONE two three four five, ONE two three four five

c. ONE two, ONE two, ONE two, ONE two

A scale consists of: a. all of the sounds that exist in nature b. all of the white keys on the piano c. a collection of fixed pitches d. all of the white and black keys on a piano

c. a collection of fixed pitches

In musical notation, the staff is: a. the collection of sharps and flats at the beginning of each line of music b. the symbol at the beginning of a composition showing how beats are grouped c. a set of five parallel lines on which notes are placed d. the line used to connect two notes on the same line or space

c. a set of five parallel lines on which notes are placed

Which is true of themes? a. a theme is generally heard only once, at the beginning of a work b. a theme is longer than three phrases c. a theme can consist of a motive d. a theme appears only in the foreground of a work

c. a theme can consist of a motive

Non-imitative polyphony occurs when: a. various musical lines are heard one after another with the same melody or similar melodies b. the melody is heard in one line and the other parts have clearly less important material that forms an accompaniment c. all musical lines are heard simultaneously, but each has a different melody d. all voices or parts are heard simultaneously with the same melody

c. all musical lines are heard simultaneously, but each has a different melody

The chromatic scale consists of: a. all black keys on the piano b. all white keys on the piano c. all white and black keys on the piano d. any collection of pitches in an octave segment

c. all white and black keys on the piano

How is the piano different from the harpsichord? a. piano strings are plucked whereas harpsichord strings are stuck by hammers b. the piano can be played only rather quietly, but the harpsichord has a wide dynamic range c. piano strings are struck by hammers whereas harpsichord strings are plucked d. the piano has a tuned set of strings activated at the keyboard whereas harpsichord strings are plucked directly by the performer

c. piano strings are struck by hammers whereas harpsichord strings are plucked

Counterpoint is closely related to: a. monophony b. cadence c. polyphony d. tonality

c. polyphony

Which aspects of duration in music can be thought of as the foreground while other aspects are in the background? a. beat b. meter c. rhythm d. tempo

c. rhythm

What do all stringed instruments have in common? a. range of pitches possible b. the size of the instrument c. sound produced by taut strings attached to a sound box d. location of the orchestra

c. sound produced by taut strings attached to a sound box

The genre of a musical work can be determined by its: a. period in history b. forms c. text, function, and performing forces d. meter, key, and tempo

c. text, function, and performing forces

What determines the pitch of a sound? a. complex, unfocused vibrations b. how much force the player uses in playing an instrument c. the length of the vibrating element d. the material used in making an instrument

c. the length of the vibrating element

Letter diagrams are least useful for showing: a. contrast b. repetition c. the specific music the letters stand for d. the overall form

c. the specific music the letters stand for

Which scale degree should a listener use to determine the mode of a selection? a. fifth b. first c. third d. fourth

c. third

Which of the following lists of dynamics shows a change from louder to softer? a. piano; mezzo piano; mezzo forte b. mezzo forte; forte; fortissimo c. mezzo piano; mezzo forte; forte d. mezzo forte; mezzo piano; piano

d. mezzo forte; mezzo piano; piano

Which notational device lengthens a note by one half? a. a slur mark between the note and another note b. a beam between the note and another note c. a flag connected to the stem d. a dot to the right of the note

d. a dot to the right of the note

In music, the term "texture" refers to the: a. blend of rhythm, meter, and pulse in music b. relationship between the pull toward or away from the tonic in harmony c. way different tone colors are combined in a peace of music d. blend of sounds or melodic lines occurring simultaneously in music

d. blend of sounds or melodic lines occurring simultaneously in music

The set of seven pitches used in Western music is called a(n): a. chromatic scale b. octave c. interval d. diatonic scale

d. diatonic scale

Unlike pianos, harpsichords are limited in their ___________ capability a. rhythmic b. harmonic c. melodic d. dynamic

d. dynamic

The musical term for the level of sound is: a. pitch b. amplitude c. duration d. dynamics

d. dynamics

Giving the beat an accent means: a. playing all of the beats exactly the same b. gradually increasing the dynamic level c. changing the tone color d. making some of the beats more emphatic than others

d. making some of the beats more emphatic than others

Fractional vibrations that are part of the fundamental pitch are called: a. dynamics b. meter c. timbre d. overtones

d. overtones

How is sound produced on brass instruments? a. the player blows through a hole in the side of the cylinder b. a single reed vibrates when air is blown through the small cup-shaped mouthpiece c. a double reed vibrates as the air is blown through it d. the player's lips vibrate as air is blown between them into the small cup-shaped mouthpiece

d. the player's lips vibrate as air is blown between them into the small cup-shaped mouthpiece

The individual style of a particular composer is described in terms of: a. the style of the era in which the composer worked b. writings by the composer about music c. the life and environment of the composer d. the way the composer handles musical elements

d. the way the composer handles musical elements

What do all woodwind instruments have in common? a. they are currently all made of wood b. all woodwinds use a reed of some sort as the vibrating sound producer c. they all have the same kind of mouthpiece through which air is blown d. they all set up vibrations in a column of air in a tube

d. they all set up vibrations in a column of air in a tube

The fundamental "home" pitch in a section of music is called the: a. principal harmony b. primary mode c. major chord d. tonic

d. tonic

The number of major and minor scales that can be built on the notes of the chromatic scale is: a. seven b. twelve c. fourteen d. twenty-four

d. twenty-four

How are pitches named in music? a. in fractional ratios such as 2:1, 3:1, and so on b. with numbers and prime marks c. with beams and flags d. with letters and prime marks

d. with letters and prime marks