The Ultimate Exam On Music: Quiz!

1. The term "timbre" describes:

The overall rhythmic feel of a song

The vocal range of a singer

A type of drum used by early jazz bands

Tone color, or characteristic sound of an instrument or voice

The term "timbre" refers to the unique quality or characteristic sound of an instrument or voice. It distinguishes one instrument or voice from another, even when they are playing or singing the same note. It is often described as the tone color of a sound, which helps to identify and differentiate different musical instruments or voices.

Explanation

The term "timbre" refers to the unique quality or characteristic sound of an instrument or voice. It distinguishes one instrument or voice from another, even when they are playing or singing the same note. It is often described as the tone color of a sound, which helps to identify and differentiate different musical instruments or voices.

2. The soft, "crooning," singing style heard in "My Blue Heaven" is most closely linked with which of the following developments in recording technology:

Wax cylinders

The phonograph

The microphone

Radio networks

The microphone and electric recording allowed engineers to raise the volume level of a singer's voice on a recording, which meant that a singer could sing softly into a microphone and and still be heard over the other instruments.

Explanation

The microphone and electric recording allowed engineers to raise the volume level of a singer's voice on a recording, which meant that a singer could sing softly into a microphone and and still be heard over the other instruments.

3. The form, instrumental timbres, lyrics, and vocal style heard in "My Blue Heaven" characterize this song as most likely belonging to what genre?

Ragtime

Old-Time music

Jazz

Tin Pan Alley

The soft, "crooning" vocal delivery, verse-refrain form, and domestic/romantic themes are often found in songs from the Tin Pan Alley genre.

Explanation

The soft, "crooning" vocal delivery, verse-refrain form, and domestic/romantic themes are often found in songs from the Tin Pan Alley genre.

4. Scott Joplin is best known for composing songs in which genre of music?

Ballads

Ragtime

Tin Pan Alley

Minstrel Shows

Scott Joplin is best known for composing songs in the genre of ragtime. Ragtime is a style of music that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies. Joplin was a prominent figure in the ragtime movement and is often referred to as the "King of Ragtime." He composed numerous ragtime compositions, including his most famous piece, "The Entertainer." Joplin's contributions to ragtime music have had a lasting impact and continue to be celebrated and enjoyed today.

Explanation

Scott Joplin is best known for composing songs in the genre of ragtime. Ragtime is a style of music that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies. Joplin was a prominent figure in the ragtime movement and is often referred to as the "King of Ragtime." He composed numerous ragtime compositions, including his most famous piece, "The Entertainer." Joplin's contributions to ragtime music have had a lasting impact and continue to be celebrated and enjoyed today.

5. In the song from Question 1, what is the best way to describe the form of the second main section (0:43-1:32)?

AABA

Sectional

Montuno

Strophic

We hear Etting sing a short melodic phrase (A) and then repeat that same melody (A). This is followed by a contrasting melody (B), and then another repetition of the A melody.

Explanation

We hear Etting sing a short melodic phrase (A) and then repeat that same melody (A). This is followed by a contrasting melody (B), and then another repetition of the A melody.

6. The rumba "Enigue Nigue" concludes with a section featuring a solo vocal improvisation alternating with a fixed refrain in a call-and-response fashion, a section also known as the:

Chorus

Strophe

Montuno

Pregón

The rumba "Enigue Nigue" concludes with a section featuring a solo vocal improvisation alternating with a fixed refrain in a call-and-response fashion, which is known as the montuno. In this section, the soloist has the freedom to improvise and showcase their vocal skills, while the fixed refrain provides a consistent structure for the call-and-response interaction. The montuno adds dynamic and rhythmic variation to the rumba, enhancing its overall musicality and creating an engaging and lively performance.

Explanation

The rumba "Enigue Nigue" concludes with a section featuring a solo vocal improvisation alternating with a fixed refrain in a call-and-response fashion, which is known as the montuno. In this section, the soloist has the freedom to improvise and showcase their vocal skills, while the fixed refrain provides a consistent structure for the call-and-response interaction. The montuno adds dynamic and rhythmic variation to the rumba, enhancing its overall musicality and creating an engaging and lively performance.

7. After listening to Ruth Etting's recording of "Deed I Do," the first section of music (0:00-0:43) can best be described as:

The refrain

The verse

The hook

The

The verse is often the first section in song forms of this genre. Each time the verse is repeated in a given song, it is paired with new lyrics.

Explanation

The verse is often the first section in song forms of this genre. Each time the verse is repeated in a given song, it is paired with new lyrics.

8. The opening guitar line in "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones can be described as:

A riff

A hook

A bridge

Both a riff and a hook

Riffs are short, repeating melodic ideas or patterns that generate rhythmic momentum. If a riff is distinctive enough to catch our attention and stick in our memory, it can also be called a hook.

Explanation

Riffs are short, repeating melodic ideas or patterns that generate rhythmic momentum. If a riff is distinctive enough to catch our attention and stick in our memory, it can also be called a hook.