Timbre

Question 1

Consort (AH)

Answer 1

A group of similar instruments in the Renaissance period
E.g. a consort of lutes or a consort of viols
A consort made up of different instruments is called a ‘broken’ or ‘mixed’ consort

Question 2

Piano trio (AH)

Answer 2

A work for piano and two other instruments, normally violin and cello

Question 3

Coloratura (H)

Answer 3

High, florid singing
Involves elaborate ornamentation of a melody
Sounds very difficult to perform

Question 4

Concertino (H)

Answer 4

The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto grosso

Question 5

Harmonics (H)

Answer 5

The high, eerie sounds produced on a string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points

Question 6

Ripieno (H)

Answer 6

The larger group of ensemble instruments in a concerto grosso

Question 7

String quartet (H)

Answer 7

Work for two violins, a viola and a cello

Question 8

Tremolando (H)

Answer 8

Means ‘trembling’
Rapid repetition of a note on a string instrument
Rapid alternation of two notes on any instrument

Question 9

A cappella (N5)

Answer 9

Singing without accompaniment

Question 10

Arco (N5)

Answer 10

Using the bow on a string instrument

Question 11

Baritone (N5)

Answer 11

Male singer between a tenor and a bass

Question 12

Con sordino (N5)

Answer 12

With a mute (specifically on a brass instrument)

Brass and string instruments can use mutes

Question 13

Flutter tonguing (N5)

Answer 13

A technique used on brass or woodwind instruments where the player rolls an ‘r’

Question 14

Mezzo soprano (N5)

Answer 14

Female singer between a soprano and an alto

Question 15

Pizzicato (N5)

Answer 15

Plucking a string instrument

Question 16

Rolls (N5)

Answer 16

Very fast repetition of a note on a percussion instrument

Question 17

Reverb (N5)

Answer 17

An electronic effect

Can give the impression of different hall acoustics

Question 18

Alto (N4)

Answer 18

A low female voice

Question 19

Backing vocals (N4)

Answer 19

Singers supporting the lead singer

Usually sing harmonies in the background

Question 20

Bass (N4)

Answer 20

A low male voice

Question 21

Brass band (N4)

Answer 21

A band with brass and percussion instruments

Question 22

Distortion (N4)

Answer 22

An electronic effect used in rock music

Used to colour the sound of an electric guitar

Question 23

Muted (N4)

Answer 23

Using a device that alters the sound of an instrument

Brass and string instruments can use mutes

Question 24

Soprano (N4)

Answer 24

A high female voice

Question 25

Tenor (N4)

Answer 25

A high male voice

Question 26

Wind band (N4)

Answer 26

A band with woodwind, brass and percussion instruments

Question 27

Choir (N3)

Answer 27

A group of singers performing together

Question 28

Folk group (N3)

Answer 28

A group of singers and instrumentalists

They perform a variety of traditional music

Question 29

Legato (N3)

Answer 29

The notes are played smoothly

Question 30

Orchestra (N3)

Answer 30

A large group of string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments

Question 31

Scottish dance band (N3)

Answer 31

A band that plays Scottish music for people to dance to

Instruments can include fiddle, accordion, piano and drums

Question 32

Staccato (N3)

Answer 32

The notes are detached

Question 33

Steel band (N3)

Answer 33

Band whose instruments are made out of oil drums called pans

The top of each drum is hammered into panels to make different pitches