Music 101 Final Exam Questions with
Complete Answers
What is the term for the interval that comprises the first and eighth tones of the major
and minor scales? These tones are quite similar because the frequency of vibration of
the higher pitch is exactly twice that of the lower. - Answer-octave
What is the term describing the change in tonal center from one key to another? -
Answer-modulation
What symbol indicates the range used for lower-sounding instruments and male voices?
- Answer-bass clef
The __________ is a horizontal grid from which musicians read the symbols of musical
notation. - Answer-staff
The element that adds depth and dimension to music as well as providing support and
accompaniment to the melody is __________. - Answer-harmony
T/F Although the tonic is the first note of the scale, melodies rarely conclude on it. -
Answer-false
The term that refers to the organization of time in music; it is what gives shape to the
pitches of the melody. - Answer-rhythm
What is a unit of three or more pitches that sound at the same time? - Answer-chord
When beats are gathered into regular groups, what is the result? - Answer-meter
Identify the term used in music notation to indicate the absence of sound. - Answer-
rests
What is the term for the even pulse that divides the passing of musical time into equal
segments? - Answer-beat
A rhythmic device in which the natural accent falling on a strong beat is displaced to a
weak beat or between the beats. - Answer-syncopation
Which two terms do musicians use interchangeably when referring to the organization
of music around a central pitch? - Answer-key and tonality
Which definition is appropriate to melody? - Answer-a recognizable and memorable
series of notes that form a cohesive musical line
,What is "pitch"? - Answer-the relative position, high or low, of a musical sound
The arrangement of pitches within the octave that ascends and descends according to a
fixed pattern is known as the: - Answer-scale
The distance between two pitches in music is called the __________. - Answer-interval
__________ can be defined as the rational organization of sounds and silences passing
through time. - Answer-music
A short, distinctive musical figure that can stand by itself, and often unifies entire
compositions is a: - Answer-motive
What part of the body recognizes and sorts sound patterns, sending information to the
brain via the auditory nerve? - Answer-basilar membrane
T/F Typically, genre and venue are interrelated. The place where we go to hear music
determines the type of music we hear, and even how we dress and behave. - Answer-
true
In music, __________ is defined as the distinctive sound created by an artist,
composer, or performing group; it is also the sum of the musical commonalities that
typify the music of an age. - Answer-style
A symphony is: - Answer-an instrumental genre for orchestra consisting of four separate
instrumental pieces
While all sounds are generated by sound waves, those conveying music are special.
What is unique about them? - Answer-they come in regular patterns
Identify the incorrect statement about popular music. - Answer-performed from a written
score; musicians normally have music stands on stage to help them remember the tune
In musical terminology, __________ means "type" of music. - Answer-genre
T/F In a digital recording, all the components of musical sound, such as pitch, tone
color, etc., are reduced to sequences of binary numbers and stored on compact discs. -
Answer-true
What is meant by the term "encore"? - Answer-an extra piece added at the end of a
concert by a performer to gratify an appreciative audienc
Identify the correct definition of "movement." - Answer-a large, independent section of a
major instrumental work
, What is the term for the set of musical expectations each individual engages when
listening to music? - Answer-musical template
According to neuroscientists, listening to music alters the __________ in our brain,
thereby affecting our mental state. - Answer-chemical composition
Identify the incorrect statement about classical music. - Answer-lyrics are distributed at
concerts, telling listeners what the mu
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) by Richard Strauss is an example of
which musical genre? - Answer-tone poem
Compositions in this style are relatively short, averaging from three to four minutes in
length, and possess a single mood from beginning to end. - Answer-popular music
Identify the correct definition of "movement." - Answer-A large, free-standing piece
within a major instrumental work.
Identify what is meant by the term "tremolo." - Answer-a musical tremor produced on a
string instrument by repeating the same pitch with quick up and down strokes of the
bow
T/F The term "crescendo" describes a gradual increase in the volume of sound. -
Answer-true
The letters ABA are typically used to indicate the sections of a composition in
__________ form. - Answer-ternary
The musical term that tells the musician to sing or play softly is: - Answer-piano
Which term consists of a single melody without accompaniment? - Answer-monophony
The musical term for loud is: - Answer-forte
Which term is synonymous with "color"? - Answer-timbre
T/F When men and women sing the same melody together, even though their voices
are an octave apart, they are said to sing in unison. - Answer-true
The process whereby a performer plucks the strings of an instrument rather than
bowing them is called __________. - Answer-pizzicato
__________ describes the harmonious opposition of two or more independent musical
lines. - Answer-counterpoint
Complete Answers
What is the term for the interval that comprises the first and eighth tones of the major
and minor scales? These tones are quite similar because the frequency of vibration of
the higher pitch is exactly twice that of the lower. - Answer-octave
What is the term describing the change in tonal center from one key to another? -
Answer-modulation
What symbol indicates the range used for lower-sounding instruments and male voices?
- Answer-bass clef
The __________ is a horizontal grid from which musicians read the symbols of musical
notation. - Answer-staff
The element that adds depth and dimension to music as well as providing support and
accompaniment to the melody is __________. - Answer-harmony
T/F Although the tonic is the first note of the scale, melodies rarely conclude on it. -
Answer-false
The term that refers to the organization of time in music; it is what gives shape to the
pitches of the melody. - Answer-rhythm
What is a unit of three or more pitches that sound at the same time? - Answer-chord
When beats are gathered into regular groups, what is the result? - Answer-meter
Identify the term used in music notation to indicate the absence of sound. - Answer-
rests
What is the term for the even pulse that divides the passing of musical time into equal
segments? - Answer-beat
A rhythmic device in which the natural accent falling on a strong beat is displaced to a
weak beat or between the beats. - Answer-syncopation
Which two terms do musicians use interchangeably when referring to the organization
of music around a central pitch? - Answer-key and tonality
Which definition is appropriate to melody? - Answer-a recognizable and memorable
series of notes that form a cohesive musical line
,What is "pitch"? - Answer-the relative position, high or low, of a musical sound
The arrangement of pitches within the octave that ascends and descends according to a
fixed pattern is known as the: - Answer-scale
The distance between two pitches in music is called the __________. - Answer-interval
__________ can be defined as the rational organization of sounds and silences passing
through time. - Answer-music
A short, distinctive musical figure that can stand by itself, and often unifies entire
compositions is a: - Answer-motive
What part of the body recognizes and sorts sound patterns, sending information to the
brain via the auditory nerve? - Answer-basilar membrane
T/F Typically, genre and venue are interrelated. The place where we go to hear music
determines the type of music we hear, and even how we dress and behave. - Answer-
true
In music, __________ is defined as the distinctive sound created by an artist,
composer, or performing group; it is also the sum of the musical commonalities that
typify the music of an age. - Answer-style
A symphony is: - Answer-an instrumental genre for orchestra consisting of four separate
instrumental pieces
While all sounds are generated by sound waves, those conveying music are special.
What is unique about them? - Answer-they come in regular patterns
Identify the incorrect statement about popular music. - Answer-performed from a written
score; musicians normally have music stands on stage to help them remember the tune
In musical terminology, __________ means "type" of music. - Answer-genre
T/F In a digital recording, all the components of musical sound, such as pitch, tone
color, etc., are reduced to sequences of binary numbers and stored on compact discs. -
Answer-true
What is meant by the term "encore"? - Answer-an extra piece added at the end of a
concert by a performer to gratify an appreciative audienc
Identify the correct definition of "movement." - Answer-a large, independent section of a
major instrumental work
, What is the term for the set of musical expectations each individual engages when
listening to music? - Answer-musical template
According to neuroscientists, listening to music alters the __________ in our brain,
thereby affecting our mental state. - Answer-chemical composition
Identify the incorrect statement about classical music. - Answer-lyrics are distributed at
concerts, telling listeners what the mu
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) by Richard Strauss is an example of
which musical genre? - Answer-tone poem
Compositions in this style are relatively short, averaging from three to four minutes in
length, and possess a single mood from beginning to end. - Answer-popular music
Identify the correct definition of "movement." - Answer-A large, free-standing piece
within a major instrumental work.
Identify what is meant by the term "tremolo." - Answer-a musical tremor produced on a
string instrument by repeating the same pitch with quick up and down strokes of the
bow
T/F The term "crescendo" describes a gradual increase in the volume of sound. -
Answer-true
The letters ABA are typically used to indicate the sections of a composition in
__________ form. - Answer-ternary
The musical term that tells the musician to sing or play softly is: - Answer-piano
Which term consists of a single melody without accompaniment? - Answer-monophony
The musical term for loud is: - Answer-forte
Which term is synonymous with "color"? - Answer-timbre
T/F When men and women sing the same melody together, even though their voices
are an octave apart, they are said to sing in unison. - Answer-true
The process whereby a performer plucks the strings of an instrument rather than
bowing them is called __________. - Answer-pizzicato
__________ describes the harmonious opposition of two or more independent musical
lines. - Answer-counterpoint
