Mystery Pick 1
Which of the following is NOT a string instrument?
a) Violin
b) Trumpet
c) Cello
d) Viola
b) Trumpet
Which term describes a gradually increasing tempo?
a) Diminuendo
b) Accelerando
c) Ritardando
d) Staccato
b) Accelerando
An ‘ostinato’ is:
a) A repeated melodic phrase
b) A sudden loud sound
c) A style of singing without words
d) A type of scale
a) A repeated melodic phrase
The term ‘timbre’ refers to:
a) The speed of the music
b) The tone colour or quality of a sound
c) The loudness of the music
d) The structure of the composition
b) The tone colour or quality of a sound
Which of the following is an example of a texture in music?
a) Monophonic
b) Accelerando
c) Forte
d) Cadenza
a) Monophonic
A ‘legato’ passage is played:
a) Smoothly and connected
b) Sharp and detached
c) Loud and strong
d) Slowly and quietly
a) Smoothly and connected
The term ‘syncopation’ means:
a) Emphasis on the weak beat or off-beat
b) Playing all notes evenly
c) A sudden pause
d) Gradually getting louder
a) Emphasis on the weak beat or off-beat
In notations, ‘pp’ stands for:
a) Very loud
b) Very soft
c) Medium loud
d) Sudden stop
b) Very soft
What does ‘forte’ indicate?
a) Slowly
b) Loud
c) Soft
d) Smoothly
b) Loud
The ‘bridge’ in a song is:
a) A repetitive chorus
b) A contrasting section connecting other parts
c) The introduction
d) The ending
b) A contrasting section connecting other parts
‘Cadence’ in music generally indicates:
a) A type of rhythm
b) A melodic motif
c) The ending of a phrase or section
d) A performance technique
c) The ending of a phrase or section
Which term refers to the overall structure of a musical piece?
a) Form
b) Dynamics
c) Texture
d) Tempo
a) Form
‘Polyphony’ means:
a) A single melodic line
b) Multiple independent melodic lines played simultaneously
c) A repeated rhythm
d) A gradual increase in tempo
b) Multiple independent melodic lines played simultaneously
What is a ‘melisma’ in music?
a) A single note sung continuously
b) Multiple notes sung to one syllable
c) A repeated rhythmic pattern
d) A type of musical form
b) Multiple notes sung to one syllable
‘Diminuendo’ means:
a) Gradually louder
b) Gradually softer
c) Suddenly louder
d) Suddenly slower
b) Gradually softer
A ‘rondo’ form typically consists of:
a) One repeated melody only
b) A recurring main theme alternating with different sections
c) Random arrangement of musical ideas
d) A slow introduction
b) A recurring main theme alternating with different sections
‘Call and response’ is:
a) A musical conversation between two parts
b) A type of scale
c) A performance direction
d) A tempo change
a) A musical conversation between two parts
The term ‘accent’ refers to:
a) Playing a note louder or with emphasis
b) The speed of a passage
c) The tone quality
d) The structure of the music
a) Playing a note louder or with emphasis
Which element is NOT part of music?
a) Pitch
b) Rhythm
c) Colour
d) Texture
c) Colour
What does ‘a cappella’ mean?
a) Instruments only
b) Voices singing without instruments
c) Fast tempo
d) Soft dynamics
b) Voices singing without instruments
Electric Guitar (with chorus effect)
Homophonic with the vocals performing the melodic layer, the electric guitar supporting it with the harmonic layer playing chords, the bass guitar laying the foundation of the harmony with the bass layer, and the rhythmic layer performed by the drums
The rhythmic muted guitar pattern of quaver pairs with a crotchet rest before it ( x |_| x |_|) happens at bar 33 (after 2 x 16 bar phrases in the introduction)
The electric guitar that was performing the melody in the introduction continues its pizzicato or plucked melodic idea throughout the second verse.
The lead guitar performs a solo at the climax of the song, featuring long sustained notes with lots of vibrato. The use of vibrato creates a focal point to the melody and allows the listener to enjoy the tone of the guitar as well as allowing a pause or breath in between phrases.
The music suddenly changes dynamics, along with tone and instrumentation, in the second half of each verse, first occurring after 8 bars of the first verse.
The word 'unforeseeable' is performed with more rhythmic freedom for expressive effect. This is known as rubato.
The introduction of the acoustic guitar uses a mainly straight rhythm of quavers and semiquaver pairs, and is then contrasted with syncopation with the introduction of the vocals right from the first word, 'Sun-shine', where the second syllable is delayed until in-between the second and third beats.
There is a stark contrast of tone colour that occurs in this section between the light acoustic guitar playing a series of broken chords to accompany the delicate female vocal melody, and the opposing distorted electric guitar sound with a big wall of power chords that support a more powerful vocal delivery by the lead singer.
At the end of the song, or the coda, the fermata, or pause, allows for the music to fade from its high intensity sound at the end, helping the listener to ease back into a state of calm.