Classical Music Vocabulary

Ready for a fun fact about music? Can you guess what 'dynamics' in music refers to?

• The speed of the music

• The rhythm of the music

• The volume of the music between notes or phrases

• The melody of the music

Ready for a musical mystery? Can you tell us what 'timbre' refers to in the world of music?

• Is it the speed at which the music is played?

• Could it be the volume of the music?

• Maybe it's the pitch of the music?

• Or is it the unique quality of a musical note that distinguishes different types of sound production?

Can you guess when a prelude is usually played?

• At the grand finale of a performance

• During the popcorn break (intermission)

• Right before the main musical masterpiece begins

• In the midst of the main musical performance

Ready for a musical mystery? Can you tell me what a 'prelude' is in the world of music?

• Is it a type of musical instrument?

• Could it be a genre of music?

• Or is it a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece?

• Maybe it's a technique used in singing?

Ready for a musical journey? Can you guess what a symphony is usually played with?

• A magical piano

• A colorful paintbrush

• A high-tech computer

• An energetic full orchestra

Ready for a musical challenge? Can you tell us how many movements a symphony usually has?

• Is it just One or Two?

• Could it be Three or Four?

• Maybe Five?

• Or even Six?

In relation to music, what does a composer do?

• Plays the instruments
• Designs the album cover
• Writes the music
• Manages the band

Match the following

• Ballad

• A performance in which dancers interpret a musical story through movement only.

• Waltz

• A short piece played by an orchestra before an opera or other performance

• Ballet

• a dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists

• Overture

• A ballroom dance song for couples dancing.

• Opera

• A long, poetic piece of music, usually slow

  
  

What is chamber music?

• Music played in a small room
• Music composed for a small group of instruments
• Music played in a large hall
• Music composed for a large orchestra

When would you hear a requiem?

• At a birthday party
• At a wedding
• At a funeral
• At a graduation ceremony