Choir Level 3 Music Terms

Question 1

A cappella

Answer 1

To sing without accompaniment such as piano or guitar

Question 2

Slight rit.

Answer 2

Gradually slow down–slightly

Rit. is an abbreviation for ritardando

Question 3

Rallantando

Answer 3

becoming slower; to slow down. Often used as a synonym for ritardando

Question 4

Natural minor scale

Answer 4

A scale starting on La and going to La. If starting on Do, The 3rd, 6th and 7th scale degree are lowered from a major scale
Formula: WHWWHWW

Question 5

Harmonic minor scale

Answer 5

A scale starting on La and going to La. The So is raised to Si. If starting on Do, the 3rd and 6th are lowered.
Formula WHWWHm3H

Question 6

Melodic Minor Scale

Answer 6

A scale starting on La and going to La. The Fa and So are raised to Fi and Si going up only. If starting on Do, the 3rd is lowered going up and the 7th, 6th and 3rd are lowered coming down.
Formula going up: WHWWWWH
Formula going down: WWHWWHW (same as natural)

Question 7

How do you find out the key and which note is Do in keys containing sharps?

Answer 7

Go to the last sharp in the key signature and go up 1/2 step.
Example: F# key signature means G is Do
Example: F#C#G# key signature means A is Do

Question 8

How do you find out the key and which note is Do in keys containing flats?

Answer 8

Go to the 2nd to last flat and that is Do.
Example: BbEb key signature means Bb is Do.
Example: BbEbAb key signature means Eb is Do.

Question 9

triplet

Answer 9

divide the beat or beats into 3
Count: 1 trip let
know the symbols

Question 10

How do you count an eighth note and 2 sixteenth notes?

Answer 10

1 + a

Know how to draw it

Question 11

How do you count an 8th note, 16th note, 8th note rhythm

Answer 11

1 e a

Know how to draw it

Question 12

How do you count a dotted 8th note 16th note rhythm?

Answer 12

1 a

know how to draw it

Question 13

How do you count two 16th notes and an 8th note rhythm?

Answer 13

1 e +

know how to draw it

Question 14

Verse

Answer 14

Part of a song form in which the words change each time the notes are repeated. This creates verse 1, verse 2, etc.

Question 15

Chorus

Answer 15

The repeated part in a song that is often the most memorable.
Example: Hot, Hot, Ooo, we got it, etc.

Question 16

Introduction

Answer 16

The first part of a song which is often different from the rest. It is often referred to as Intro.

Question 17

Ending

Answer 17

The last part of a song which is often different from the rest. It is often referred to as Outro.

Question 18

Bridge

Answer 18

Part of a song form which is different from the rest of the song. It is often in the middle and may be in a different key or style.
Example: the scat part of Zat You Santa Claus

Question 19

Major Chord

Answer 19

A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees.

Do Mi So

Question 20

Minor Chord

Answer 20

A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 3rd is lowered.

Do Me So

Question 21

Diminished Chord

Answer 21

A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 3rd and 5th are lowered.

Do Me Se

Question 22

Augmented Chord

Answer 22

A chord built on the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees where the 5th is lowered.

Do Mi Si

Question 23

Scat syllables

Answer 23

Often used in a jazz style, syllables are used instead of words to sing a melody or improvise a melody.

Question 24

D.S. al Coda

Answer 24

Del Segno al Coda.
Go to the sign at the D.S. and jump to the coda when indicated the 2nd time.
Know the symbols

Question 25

repeat sign

Answer 25

2 dots at the end of the measure that indicate you must repeat the section of music. Go back to the matching repeat signs before.
Know the symbol.

Question 26

Chromatic Scale

Answer 26

A scale built on 1/2 steps. Know the solfege.

Question 27

Accidental

Answer 27

A sharp, flat or natural in a measure that is not found in the key signature. It lasts for only that measure.

Question 28

Treble clef notes:

Answer 28

lines: EGBDF
spaces: FACE

Question 29

Bass clef notes

Answer 29

lines: GBDFA
spaces: ACEG

Question 30

poco a poco

Answer 30

little by little

Question 31

diminuendo

Answer 31

gradually get softer

Question 32

List dynamics from softest to loudest

Answer 32

pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff

Question 33

fermata

Answer 33

A symbol also referred to as a “birds eye.”
Hold the note longer until the conductor cuts off.
Know the symbol

Question 34

12/8 time signature

Answer 34

12 beats in a measure and the 8th note = 1

Question 35

cut time

Answer 35

A time signature of 2/2 where there are 2 beats in a measure and the half note gets the beat.

Question 36

ritardando

Answer 36

gradually get slower

Question 37

draw all rhythms from smallest to largest

Answer 37

16th, 8th, dotted 8th, quarter, dotted quarter, half note, dotted half note, whole note
know all symbols

Question 38

draw all rests from smallest to largest

Answer 38

16th, 8th, dotted 8th, quarter, dotted quarter, half rest, dotted half rest, whole rest
know all symbols

Question 39

A tempo

Answer 39

original tempo

Question 40

subito

Answer 40

suddenly