Music Terminology Quiz

1. The singing pauses while the instruments play a short connecting passage between two vocal sections. What is this passage called?

2. What does tempo describe in music?

3. A singer carries the main melody while a piano supports it mainly with chords. Which musical texture does this illustrate?

4. A drummer emphasizes notes between the beats where listeners normally expect accents. Which rhythmic idea is being used?

5. A fermata appears above the final note of a phrase. What does it tell the performer?

6. What does staccato instruct a performer to do?

7. After two verse-chorus cycles, a song introduces a contrasting section before the final chorus. Which term most commonly names that section?

8. During a phrase, the sound gradually decreases in volume. Which term describes this change?

9. A score marks a passage with the dynamic symbol “p.” How should it generally be performed?

10. What does a 3/4 time signature indicate?

11. A vocal group performs a song without any instrumental accompaniment. What is this performance style called?

12. Two sections of a song share the same melody but use different lyrics to advance the story. What are these sections most likely called?

13. A short bass pattern repeats continuously beneath changing melodies and harmonies. Which term best describes that repeating pattern?

14. A violinist is asked to connect a phrase smoothly, with little or no audible separation between notes. Which articulation is required?

15. A passage begins quietly and gradually becomes louder. Which direction best describes this change?

16. In a typical pop song, one section returns several times with largely the same music and lyrics, often containing the central hook. What is it usually called?