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Variations in Music

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which statements do not describe variation in music?

a)

Variation is a modification of the theme or motif

b)

Variation is different versions of the same theme or motif

c)

Variations are completely different from each other

d)

Variation sounds both different and similar

2.

Listen to the theme and variation from "Victory Celebration" by John Williams.

What was changed or added in the variation?

a)

The notes in the beginning of the theme were played slower in the variation

b)

The notes in the beginning of the theme were played faster in the variation

c)

There were some quick notes added into the variation

d)

The tonality of the music was changed in the variation

3.

How does the variation in music impact the overall composition of a musical piece?

a)

By adding complexity and interest contribute to the overall quality of music

b)

By making the music predictable and boring

c)

By eliminating any sense of continuity

d)

By having all instruments play the same notes

4.

Which famous composers are known for their use of variations in music?

a)

Beethoven and Mozart

b)

Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson

c)

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé

d)

Justin Bieber and One Direction

5.

What is an ostinato?

a)

Added notes to a theme

b)

A repeated note. Usually a bass note

c)

A long sustained bass note

d)

A pattern that repeats

6.

What is a canon in music?

a)

An artillery weapon powered by explosive charges

b)

A type of work in which one melody is imitated by one or more voices

c)

When a rhythm or melody is repeated over and over again

d)

When different notes are played together to form a chord

7.

What is tonality?

a)

Tonality is the organization of music around a central note or tonic.

b)

A key signature of a piece of music. Whether it is major or minor.

c)

Whether music is loud or soft.

d)

Notes that have rhythms that are off the beat.

8.

What element can be used to change the variations in music?

a)

Speed

b)

Theme, motif

c)

Tonality, key signature

d)

Rhythm, time signature

9.

Diminution is when notes in a theme are doubled in length/value

a)

True

b)

False

10.

Augmentation refers to doubling the length/value of notes in the subject

a)

True

b)

False

11.

Which one is a form of articulation?

a)

Staccato

b)

Legato

c)

Rubato

d)

Potato

12.

Which facts are true about "passing notes"?

a)

They are notes that accompany the main melody to form a harmony

b)

They are notes that are passed from one instrument to another

c)

They are notes placed between the notes that make up the main melody

d)

They are used as decoration or embellishment

13.

What is the difference between timbre and sonority?

a)

Timbre is the quality of sound, while sonority is the richness and resonance of sound.

b)

Timbre is the texture of sound, while sonority is the clarity of sound.

c)

Timbre is the duration of sound, while sonority is the pitch of sound.

d)

Hah! Trick question. There is no difference. They are one and the same.

14.

What does the term 'staccato' mean in music?

a)

Playing the notes smoothly and connected

b)

Playing the notes short and detached

c)

Playing the notes loudly and forcefully

d)

Playing the notes in a slow tempo

15.

How does syncopation affect the rhythm of a musical piece?

a)

It makes the rhythm more predictable and straightforward

b)

It adds unexpected accents and off-beat rhythms

c)

It removes all sense of rhythm from the music

d)

It makes all instruments play in perfect unison

16.

How does legato differ from staccato in music?

a)

Legato means playing the notes short and detached, while staccato means playing them smoothly and connected

b)

Legato means playing the notes smoothly and connected, while staccato means playing them short and detached

c)

Legato means playing the notes loudly and forcefully, while staccato means playing them in a slow tempo

d)

Legato means playing the notes in a slow tempo, while staccato means playing them loudly and forcefully

17.

which statement describes retrogradation?

a)

The key signature of the music is changed.

b)

The music notes move in opposite directions of the original there. Up becomes down and vice versa.

c)

The music is played in reverse.

d)

The loudness of the music is reversed. Loud becomes soft and vice versa.

18.

Which statement describes inversion?

a)

The key signature of the music is changed.

b)

The music notes move in opposite directions of the original there. Up becomes down and vice versa.

c)

The music is played in reverse.

d)

The loudness of the music is reversed. Loud becomes soft and vice versa.

19.

What is a theme or motif?

a)

A short musical idea or phrase that is repeated throughout a composition

b)

A long musical composition with multiple movements

c)

A type of percussion instrument

d)

A specific type of harmony used in jazz music

20.

Which musical term describes the gradual increase in loudness?

a)

Decrescendo

b)

Staccato

c)

Crescendo

d)

Legato