Music Terms

Question 1

A Cappella:

Answer 1

Singing without any form of instrumental accompaniment.

Question 2

Absolute Pitch:

Answer 2

Ability to determine the exact pitch of a note as played on a musical instrument just by listening to it

Question 3

Accelerando:

Answer 3

A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.

Question 4

Accent:

Answer 4

Giving a particular note or phrase more stress than the ones before or after it. Italics do it in print, accents do it in singing. To be effective in solo singing, accents must usually be subtle.

Question 5

Accidentals:

Answer 5

Any of various signs that indicate the alteration of a note by one or two semitones or the cancellation of a previous sign.

Question 6

Accompaniment:

Answer 6

Music that is played as background to a solo singer or lead instrumentalist

Question 7

Accompanist:

Answer 7

A pianist who plays music beneath the singing.

Question 8

Adagio:

Answer 8

A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.

Question 9

Allegro:

Answer 9

Lively and quick tempo

Question 10

Alto:

Answer 10

Lowest female voice part in a choir group

Question 11

Andante:

Answer 11

Meaning a walking tempo or walking pace; a moderate speed.

Question 12

Art Song:

Answer 12

In classical music, a song not from an opera, but sung in classical style. Art songs
were created primarily for concerts.

Question 13

Articulation:

Answer 13

The formation of clear and distinct sounds in speech.

Question 14

Atonal:

Answer 14

Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.

Question 15

Ballad:

Answer 15

A slow tempo, sentimental or romantic song.

Question 16

Attack:

Answer 16

Describes the process of a singer first hitting a note, as in “his attack on that high C was too harsh,” or “her attack at the beginning of the song was very gentle.”

Question 17

Bar:

Answer 17

A specific number of musical sounds that are organized within a measure, and that are contained within two solid lines called bar lines.

Question 18

Baritone:

Answer 18

The male mid-range singing voice between bass and tenor, with a range that extends from the second G below middle C to the first G above middle C.

Question 19

Bass:

Answer 19

The lowest of the male singing voice, with a range of the second E below middle C to the first E above middle. In serious or dramatic opera, low voices usually suggest age and wisdom; in comic opera, they are generally used for old characters.

Question 19

Bass Clef:

Answer 19

A symbol placed on the fourth line of a staff to indicate that the fourth line of the staff corresponds to the F next below middle C; F clef.

Question 20

Baton:

Answer 20

A short stick that the conductor uses to lead the orchestra or choir.

Question 21

Beat:

Answer 21

Regular pattern of musical rhythm within a bar or measure.

Question 22

Belting:

Answer 22

Originally a term applied to female voices only: “This is a loud, driving sound that is produced by pushing the natural chest register beyond its normal limits. Although the original terminology didn’t include men, male singers can also belt.

Question 23

Blend:

Answer 23

In solo singing, the smooth transition between the head and chest voice.