Terms

Question 1

A Cappella

Nat 5

Answer 1

Unaccompanied choral singing.

Question 2

A Tempo

Nat 4

Answer 2

An instruction to return to the speed that was played before before the tempo changed.

Question 3

AB

Nat 5

Answer 3

Two-part form - music in two sections. A then B. These sections may be repeated.

Question 4

ABA

Nat 4

Answer 4

Three-part form - Music in three sections: section A, then B, then back to A.

Question 5

Accelerando

Nat 4

Answer 5

The tempo (speed) of the music gradually becomes faster.

Question 6

Accented

Nat 3

Answer 6

Accented notes are notes which sound louder than others. They are marked with a > sign above or above the note.

Question 7

Accidental

Nat 5

Answer 7

A sign added to a note to change the pitch.

Question 8

Accompanied

Nat 3

Answer 8

Other instrument(s) or voice(s) supports the main melody.

Question 9

Accordion

Nat 3

Answer 9

An instrument with a key keyboard played with the right hand and buttons (which play chords) pressed by the left hand. The player pushes and pulls the two sides to operate the bellows. It is also known as a squeeze box.

Question 10

Acoustic Guitar

Nat 3

Answer 10

The acoustic guitar is a string instrument that is played by plucked or strumming the strings with fingers, or using a plectrum. It has six strings and the hallow body amplifies the sound of the vibrating strings. An acoustic guitar does not need electricity to produce the sound.

Question 11

Adagio

Nat 3

Answer 11

A slow tempo (sound), approximately 66-76 beats per minute.

Question 12

African Music

Nat 4

Answer 12

Music from Africa.

Much African music features voices and/or African drums.

Question 13

Alberti Bass

Nat 5

Answer 13

Broken chords played by the left hand outlining harmonies whilst the right hand plays the melody. Classical composers such as Haydn and Mozart used this technique extensively in their piano music. The chord is played in the order: low - high - middle - high.

Question 14

Allegro

Nat 3

Answer 14

A fast tempo (speed), approximately 120-168 beats per minute.

Question 15

Alto

Nat 4

Answer 15

The lowest female voice.

Question 16

Anacrusis

Nat 4

Answer 16

The notes which appear before the first strong beat of a musical phrase, particularly at the the start of a piece. An anacrusis sounds upbeat.

Question 17

Andante

Nat 4

Answer 17

A tempo at a walking speed, approximately 76-108 beats per minute.

Question 18

Answer

Nat 3

Answer 18

A short musical phrase that follows on from a ‘question’ phrase. The phrases are usually the same length and often have similar note values.

Question 19

Arch

Nat 5

Answer 19

Instruction given to string players to use a bow. This term might be given to players after a passage using pizzicato.

Question 20

Aria

Nat 5

Answer 20

A solo song sung in an operatic style, in an opera, oratorio or cantata, with orchestral accompaniment.

Question 21

Arpeggio

Nat 4

Answer 21

Notes of a chord played one after the other.

Question 22

Ascending

Nat 3

Answer 22

Ascending notes rise in pitch. Notes can ascend by LEAP or STEPWISE.

Question 23

Atonal

Nat 5

Answer 23

Atonal music has no feeling of key, major or minor. It is very dissonant, and it will a ‘nice’ melody and accompaniment. Atonal music is a feature of some 20th-century music.