Characteristics of Instruments
Which instrument family produces sound through the musician buzzing their lips against a metal mouthpiece while blowing air through the instrument?
a. Woodwinds
b. Brass
c. Percussion
d. Strings
b. Brass
When reading music in treble clef, what specific note is represented by a note placed on the very top line of the five-line staff?
a. G
b. F
c. E
d. A
b. F
The famous opening theme from "Star Wars" by John Williams begins with which powerful interval?
a. Perfect Fifth
b. Major Third
c. Perfect Fourth
d. Minor Seventh
a. Perfect Fifth
When reading a piece of music and you see the Italian term "forte" written above the staff, what does the composer want you to do?
a. Play the passage loudly
b. Play the passage softly
c. Play at a medium volume
d. Play very softly
a. Play the passage loudly
What unique characteristic allows a trombone to produce smooth pitch changes that other brass instruments cannot?
a. Its larger bell size
b. Its sliding mechanism
c. Its valves
d. Its mouthpiece design
b. Its sliding mechanism
Which woodwind instrument is known for its distinctive curved metal neck?
a. Clarinet
b. Flute
c. Saxophone
d. Bassoon
c. Saxophone
When reading music written in bass clef, which note is located directly on the middle line of the five-line staff?
a. D
b. B
c. F
d. A
a. D
When listening to the wedding march "Here Comes the Bride," the interval between the first two notes is known as a:
a. Major Third
b. Perfect Fifth
c. Minor Sixth
d. Perfect Fourth
d. Perfect Fourth
In music, what term describes when the conductor or musician gradually makes the tempo (speed) of the piece faster and faster?
a. Rallentando
b. Diminuendo
c. Accelerando
d. Ritardando
c. Accelerando
What Italian term indicates to return to the original tempo after a tempo change?
a. Da capo
b. A tempo
c. Dal segno
d. Fine
b. A tempo
Which percussion instrument produces the lowest fundamental pitch?
a. Concert bass drum
b. Timpani
c. Tom-toms
d. Bongos
a. Concert bass drum
Which note is located in the second space from the bottom in treble clef?
a. G
b. A
c. B
d. C
b. A
The ominous two-note theme from the movie "Jaws" is built around which small interval?
a. Major Second
b. Perfect Fourth
c. Minor Third
d. Minor Second
d. Minor Second
In a time signature like 4/4 or 3/4, what specific musical information does the bottom number communicate to the performer?
a. The number of beats that should be counted in each measure
b. The type of note value that receives one full beat
c. The speed at which the piece should be performed
d. The total number of measures in the piece
b. The type of note value that receives one full beat
The time signature 6/8 is classified as what type of meter?
a. Simple duple
b. Compound duple
c. Simple triple
d. Compound triple
b. Compound duple
Which percussion instrument requires the most frequent tuning adjustments?
a. Cymbals
b. Triangle
c. Timpani
d. Bass drum
c. Timpani
What is an acronym for Treble Clef spaces from Top to Bottom?
F.A.C.E.
The interval heard in Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" opening melody is a:
a. Perfect Fourth
b. Minor Third
c. Major Third
d. Perfect Fifth
c. Major Third
What musical symbol, when placed before a note, cancels out the effect of any previous sharp or flat signs?
a. Double sharp
b. Mordent
c. Natural
d. Grace note
c. Natural
Which woodwind instrument requires the musician to use a double reed (two pieces of cane bound together) to produce its sound?
a. Saxophone
b. Bassoon
c. Clarinet
d. Flute
b. Bassoon
What fundamental difference distinguishes brass instruments from woodwind instruments in terms of how they produce their sound?
a. The specific metal materials used in their construction
b. The method of vibration that creates the initial sound
c. The overall physical size of the instruments
d. The maximum volume level they can achieve
b. The method of vibration that creates the initial sound
The Treble Clef and Bass Clef are known as what type of clef?
a) G clef & D clef
b) High clef & Low clef
c) Soprano clef & Baritone clef
d) None of the above
a) G clef & D clef
In the opening phrase of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," what interval is heard between the words "Some" and "where"?
a. Minor Seventh
b. Perfect Fifth
c. Octave
d. Major Sixth
c. Octave
What is the musical term for deliberately placing emphasis on beats that are normally considered weak in the measure, creating an off-balance feeling?
a. Polyrhythm
b. Counterpoint
c. Syncopation
d. Ostinato
c. Syncopation
The theme from "The Simpsons" opens with which distinctive interval?
a. Major Seventh
b. Perfect Fourth
c. Tritone
d. Minor Sixth
c. Tritone