Question 1

What is the musical term for "medium"?
A) subito
B) mezzo
C) diminuendo
D) sforzando

Accepted Answer

"Mezzo" is the musical term for "medium" and is commonly seen in terms such as "mezzo forte" (medium loud) or "mezzo piano" (medium soft). "Subito" means suddenly, "diminuendo" means to gradually decrease in volume, and "sforzando" means to forcefully accent a note.

Question 2

Which dynamic indication is the softest?
A) piano
B) fortissimo
C) pianissimo
D) mezzo piano

Accepted Answer

Pianissimo is softer than piano, mezzo piano, and fortissimo. It indicates playing very soft and quiet, almost a whisper.

Question 3

What,in scientific terminology,is amplitude?
A) the level of strength of sound vibrations
B) the size of a musical instrument
C) how high or low a pitch is
D) the relative speed of the beat or rhythm

Accepted Answer

Amplitude refers to the level of strength of sound vibrations. It is measured in decibels (dB) and represents the maximum displacement of a wave from its resting position.

Question 4

Which of the following lists of dynamics shows a progression from louder to softer?
A) piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte
B) mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo
C) mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte
D) mezzo forte, mezzo piano, piano

Accepted Answer

The progression in D goes from mezzo forte (medium loud) to mezzo piano (medium soft) to piano (soft), which is a clear progression from louder to softer. The other options either have a mix of loud and soft dynamics or jump from soft to loud before returning to medium.

Question 5

Pitch is the quality of the:
A) highness or lowness of a sound.
B) loudness or softness of a sound.
C) brightness or dullness of a sound.
D) speed of travel of sound waves.

Accepted Answer

Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a sound. It is determined by the frequency of the sound wave, with higher frequencies corresponding to higher pitches and lower frequencies corresponding to lower pitches. Thus, choice A is the correct answer. B refers to the volume or amplitude of a sound, C refers to the timbre or tone color of a sound, and D refers to the speed at which sound travels through a medium.

Question 6

What determines the tone color of a sound?
A) the length of the sound-producing body
B) the number and proportion of overtones and the way they vibrate together
C) the loudness of the sound produced
D) the pitch of the sound produced

Accepted Answer

The tone color of a sound is determined by the number and proportion of overtones and the way they vibrate together. The overtones are additional frequencies produced along with the fundamental frequency, and their relative strengths and interactions give each sound its unique tone color, also known as timbre. The length of the sound-producing body affects the pitch of the sound, not the tone color. Loudness affects the perceived volume of the sound, not the tone color.

Question 7

What is the musical term for "suddenly"?
A) mezzo
B) subito
C) forte
D) molto

Accepted Answer

The musical term for "suddenly" is "subito".

Question 8

A healthy human ear can hear from ________ to ________ cycles of sound vibrations per second.
A) 10; 20
B) 20; 20,000
C) 20; 440
D) 20; 440,000

Accepted Answer

The normal range of hearing for a healthy human ear is between 20 and 20,000 cycles (also called Hertz - Hz) of sound vibrations per second. Choice A (10-20) is too low, choice C (20-440) is too narrow, and choice D (20-440,000) is too high.

Question 9

The scientific term for the speed or rate of the vibrations of sound is:
A) frequency.
B) dynamics.
C) tempo.
D) pitch.

Accepted Answer

Frequency refers to the number of vibrations per second that creates a sound wave. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). Therefore, the correct scientific term for the speed or rate of the vibrations of sound is frequency. Dynamics, tempo, and pitch are related to different aspects of sound but do not specifically refer to the rate of vibrations.

Question 10

Fractional vibrations that are part of the fundamental pitch are called:
A) dynamics.
B) meter.
C) timbre.
D) overtones.

Accepted Answer

Fractional vibrations that are part of the fundamental pitch are referred to as overtones.

Question 11

What is another term for tone color?
A) timbre
B) rhythm
C) pitch
D) volume

Accepted Answer

Tone color and timbre are synonymous terms used to describe the unique sound quality of a particular instrument, voice or sound source.

Question 12

Which term indicates a gradual increase in dynamic level?
A) diminuendo
B) decrescendo
C) crescendo
D) mezzo forte

Accepted Answer

Crescendo indicates a gradual increase in dynamic level.

Question 13

What determines the pitch of a sound?
A) complex, unfocused vibrations
B) how much force the player uses in playing an instrument
C) the length of the vibrating element
D) the material used in making an instrument

Accepted Answer

The pitch of a sound is determined by the frequency of the vibrations, and the frequency is directly related to the length of the vibrating element. A shorter element produces higher frequency vibrations and a higher pitch sound, while a longer element produces lower frequency vibrations and a lower pitch sound.

Question 14

What do all stringed instruments have in common?
A) range of pitches possible
B) size of the instrument
C) sound produced by taut strings attached to a sound box
D) location in the orchestra

Accepted Answer

Stringed instruments produce sound through the vibration of taut strings that are attached to a sound box, which amplifies the sound.

Question 15

Plucking the string of a stringed instrument is called:
A) legato.
B) pizzicato.
C) counterpoint.
D) violoncello.

Accepted Answer

Plucking the string of a stringed instrument is called "pizzicato." Legato refers to smooth, connected notes. Counterpoint is a term used in music composition to describe the combination of multiple melodies played together. Violoncello is a type of stringed instrument (also known as a cello), not a term for plucking a string.

Question 16

The musical term for the level of sound is:
A) pitch.
B) amplitude.
C) duration.
D) dynamics.

Accepted Answer

Dynamics refer to the level or volume of sound in music.

Question 17

What is the criterion for organizing the instruments of the orchestra in their present families?
A) method of production of sound vibrations
B) range of pitches possible
C) capacity for dynamic contrasts
D) tone color

Accepted Answer

The criterion for organizing the instruments of the orchestra into their present families is based on the method of production of sound vibrations. This categorizes instruments into strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, depending on how they produce sound.

Question 18

Low pitches result from:
A) short vibrating elements.
B) quickly vibrating elements.
C) long vibrating elements.
D) slowly vibrating elements.

Accepted Answer

Low pitches result from long vibrating elements. This is because longer elements have a lower natural frequency, which produces a lower pitch.

Question 19

In which language are dynamics generally described?
A) German
B) Italian
C) English
D) French

Accepted Answer

Dynamics in music are generally described in Italian, using terms like "piano" for soft and "forte" for loud.

Question 20

Tone color is the musical term for the general quality of a:
A) musical sound.
B) melody.
C) performance.
D) rhythmic combination.

Accepted Answer

Tone color refers to the distinctive sound quality of a musical instrument or voice.

Quiz 2: Pitch,Dynamics,and Tone Color

What is the musical term for "medium"?

Which dynamic indication is the softest?

What,in scientific terminology,is amplitude?

Which of the following lists of dynamics shows a progression from louder to softer?

Pitch is the quality of the:

What determines the tone color of a sound?

What is the musical term for "suddenly"?

A healthy human ear can hear from to cycles of sound vibrations per second.

The scientific term for the speed or rate of the vibrations of sound is:

Fractional vibrations that are part of the fundamental pitch are called:

What is another term for tone color?

Which term indicates a gradual increase in dynamic level?

What determines the pitch of a sound?

What do all stringed instruments have in common?

Plucking the string of a stringed instrument is called:

The musical term for the level of sound is:

What is the criterion for organizing the instruments of the orchestra in their present families?

Low pitches result from:

In which language are dynamics generally described?

Tone color is the musical term for the general quality of a: