Instrumental Inquiries
This double-reed instrument has a larger sibling called the English horn
What is the oboe?
This Italian word means “to gradually slow down” and is often met with dramatic gestures from conductors.
What is ritardando?
A dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth note equals this rhythmic pattern.
What is a “swing” or “long-short” rhythm?
True or False: Joseph Haydn wrote over 100 symphonies.
What is true?
“Emotional despair when precipitation ceases to fall on my sunless day.”
What is “Ain’t No Sunshine”?
Despite being made of brass, this woodwind instrument uses a reed and has keys like a clarinet.
What is the saxophone?
When the conductor says “watch the cutoff,” they’re most likely referring to this kind of note ending.
What is a fermata?
In 12/8 time, this many dotted quarter notes fit in one measure.
What is 4?
Clara Schumann was known for this combination of talents.
What is composing and piano performance?
“Rotate your bodily form in a repetitive circular manner akin to a vinyl disc.”
What is “You Spin Me Round”?
This percussion instrument is tuned using foot pedals to adjust the pitch of its resonating head.
What are the timpani?
This section often plays syncopated rhythms and must align precisely with the rhythm section in jazz band.
What are the saxophones?
In 5/4 time, this is the number of beats in a full measure, and how they are usually grouped.
What is 5 beats, grouped as 3+2 or 2+3?
Which of the following is not a real composer: Béla Bartók, Gustav Mahler, Heinrich Starbucks?
Who is Heinrich Starbucks?
“My auditory organs detect the approach of rhythmic percussion—contemplate evacuation.”
What is “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” or “It’s Gonna Be Me” (flexible)?
This string instrument is held vertically between the knees and is tuned in perfect fifths.
What is the cello?
This is the full name of the abbreviation “DC al Coda,” a common instruction in rehearsal.
What is Da Capo al Coda?
A breve, also known as a double whole note, lasts for this many beats in 4/4 time.
What is 8 beats?
This Russian composer of Pictures at an Exhibition was originally trained as a military engineer.
Who is Modest Mussorgsky?
“Though current location is distant, affection persists in the deepest of cardiac chambers.”
What is “Somewhere Out There”?
This brass instrument, known for its mellow tone and rotary valves, is notoriously difficult to play in tune.
What is the French horn?
This is the term for the subtle speed fluctuation a conductor might use to shape a phrase expressively.
What is rubato?
This many 32nd notes are equal in duration to one dotted quarter note.
What is 24?
This American composer blended jazz, blues, and classical music in works like Rhapsody in Blue.
Who is George Gershwin?
“Observe the motion of my footwear as it rhythmically strikes the ground to a musical pattern.”
What is “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”?