La Salle University
MUS 150-A Art of Listening
Final Exam
Name ______________________________
I. Listening
Excerpt One: Santana: Love of My Life
Bonus - list specific timbre of work
1. Which of the following terms best defines the texture of this example (once the melody is heard)?
a. monophonic
b. homophonic
c. polyphonic
d heterophonic
e. no texture
2. The melody of three notes up, three notes down is an example of a:
a. song
b. motive
c. crescendo d. cadence e. concerto
3. This melody and harmonies were taken from which well-known composer?
A. Bach
b. Beethoven c. Brahms d. Berlioz
4. Which of the following terms best defines the meter of this example?
a. 2 b. 3 c. 4 d 5 e. no meter
Excerpt Two: Handel: Hallejujah Chorus from “Messiah”
Bonus - list specific timbre of work
5. As this excerpt begins, the voices and instruments are in:
a. a cappella b. chant
c. unison
d. harmony
e. crescendo
6. Which of the following terms best defines the beat of this example?
a. medium fast
b. moderately loud c. choir and orchestra
d homophonic
e. no pitches
7. Which of the following abbreviations would you expect to find regarding timbre of this selection?
a. AABA
b. EBGDF
c. SATB
d. forte
e. form
8. Which of the following terms best defines the texture of this example?
A. monophonic
b. homophonic
c. polyphonic
d heterophonic
e. the texture changes
9. This piece of music is a good example of music that is from the __________ Period:
A. Classical
b. Common Practice
c. Secondary d. Musical
Excerpt Three: Vivaldi Spring Concerto, first Movement
Bonus - list specific timbre of work
Bonus: describe the scenes that are being illustrated in the music
10. This work is classified as a(n)
A. opera
B. symphony
C. song
11. The solo instrument is a
a. violin
B. guitar
C. percussion
D. concerto E. short story
D. trumpet
E. pianoforte
12. The person playing along with the soloist in the featured areas is the
a. conductor B. composer C. concertmaster D. soloist's assistant E. keyboard player
13. This complete work consists of _______ movement(s)
a. one B. two C. three D. four
E. five
14. This work is from the __________ period
a. Late Romantic B. Romantic C. Classical D. Baroque E. all of the above
Excerpt Four: J.S. Bach: Bourree
15. Which of the following terms best defines the texture of this example?
A. monophonic
b. homophonic c. polyphonic
d heterophonic
e. no texture
16. Which of the following repeats throughout this example in a short short long pattern?
a. a rhythm
b. a harmony c. the timbre d. the texture e. unison
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17. Which of the following describes the meter of this example?
A. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. non-metric
e. no meter
18. The solo instrument is a
A. violin
B. guitar
C. percussion
D. trumpet
E. pianoforte
19. This movement comes from a larger work called a:
a. concerto
b. symphony
c. suite
d. concert
e. cantata
20. What is the form of most movements in a larger work (from the previous question)
a. BBCC
b. BBAA
c. ABBA
d. AABB
e. BABA
21. This larger work is referred to as a collection of:
A. stories
b. keys
c. instruments
d. melodies
e. dances
Excerpt Five: Vivaldi Spring Second Movement
22. Which of the following terms best defines the genre of this example?
a. song
b. symphony
c. opera
d concerto
e. sonata
23. This movement is most likely the ____________ ?
a. 1st of 4
b. 1st of 3
c. 2nd of 3 d. 3rd of 3
e. 4th of 4
24. Which of the following programmatic ideas is heard throughout this example?
a. the wind
b. a thunderstorm
c. a dog
d. a river
e. birds
25. Which of the following terms best defines the timbre of this example?
a. orchestra b. solo violin with orchestrac. string quartet
d solo violin
e. no timbre
II. Multiple Choice
26. Which of the following is a type of singer?
a. concerto
b. cadenza
c. libretto
d. crescendo
e. mezzo-soprano
27. Which of the following is the most common scenario for the elements in a piece of music?
a. meter in 4, homophonic texture, built around a central key
b. meter in 3, homophonic texture, not built around a central key
c. meter in 4, monophonic texture, built around a central key
d. meter in 3, monophonic texture, built around a central key
e. meter in 4, polyphonic texture, not built around a central key
28. What are the abbreviations for the four primary voice types?
a. TUBS
b. ALTO
c. SATB
d. TABD
e. WEXP
29. In which of the following will you find a solo violinist and an orchestra?
a. concerto
b. basso continuo
c. libretto
d. crescendo
e. mezzo-soprano
30. The term "crescendo" means to gradually get:
a. louder
b. faster
c. higher in pitch
e. slower
d. softer
31. Which of the following is not specifically an element or property of music?
a. duration
b. chorus
c. pitch
d. dynamics
e. timbre
32. When listening to music, the “home sound” with a common center of stability is called the:
a. meter
b. key
c. measure
d. tempo
e. dynamic
33. What is the "crowning achievement" of Western music?
a. timbre
b. polyphonic texture
c. video production
d. rhythm
34. The structure of a musical work is said to be its:
a. pianissimo
b. dynamics
c. form
d. melody
e. beat
e. scales
35. Which of the following is not required to fit our definition of music?
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a. time
b. organization
c. singing
d. sound
36. Which of the following is NOT appropriate for the year 1600?
a. beginning of the Middle Ages
b. beginning of the Common Practice Period
c. beginning of the Baroque Period
d. beginning of opera
37. A ______ is a resting place in music, and may be either temporary (incomplete) or permanent (complete).
a. pitch
b. cadence
c. rhythm
d. dynamic
e. mezzo soprano
38. When the beat is not evident in a musical work, it is said to be:
a. nonmetric
b. fast
c. inconclusive
d. cadence
e. accented
39. A work from the Classical Period and beyond is likely to have the first movement in which form?
a. rondo
b. binary
c. ritornello
d. sonata allegro
e. none of the above
40. Which of the following is a multi-movement work for an orchestra?
a. symphony
b. concerto
c. opera
d. string quartet
e. sonata
41. Indeterminacy allows for opportunities of ___________ in the finished product.
a. rational control b. forms c. rules
d. classical ideals
e. chance
42. Program music is
a. music that is associated with an extra musical idea, person, concept.
b. music that is found in a recital program
c. music that is used to begin important events
d. music that is not meant to be performed live
43. “Classical” Music will often announce “this is the end” when approaching a:
a. concerto
b. cadence
c. concert
d. crescendo
e. contralto
44. Which of the following textures refers to "one melody with some type of accompaniment"?
a. monophonic b. heterophonic c. homophonic d. polyphonic e. hooked-on-phonic
45. What is the term used when a piece of music has an extra-musical idea like a story?
a. video
b. secondary
c. program
d. entertainment
e. notice
46. Music that does not have any association with extra musical ideas, people, or concepts is referred to as:
a. quality music b. good music c. pure music
d. absolute music
e. logical music
47. The "short short short long" phrase that unifies Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is called a:
a. cadenza
b. cadence
c. aria
d. recitative
e. motive
48 Who is responsible for keeping the bowing directions consistent in the orchestra?
a. each string player
b. concertmaster
c. guest soloist
d. conductor
49. The Romantic period stretches from 1820 - 1900. This period falls within the __________ Period
a. Baroque
b. Medieval
c. Renaissance
d. Common Practice
50. How many movements are in a typical concerto from the Baroque period onward?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
e. 6
51. Which of the following accurately describes the speed plan of each of the movements of a “typical” cncerto
from the Baroque period?
a. fast fast slow
b. dancelike fast fast
c. fast slow fast
d. fast slow dancelike
e. fast dancelike slow
52. Which of the following twentieth century trends is a work never performed the same way twice?
a. Indeterminacy
b. Neoclassical
c. Common Practice
d. Symphony
e. Impressionism
53. In the twentieth century, what is the dramatic split that occurs in music for the first time?
a. loud music vs. soft music
b. sacred vs. secular music
c. commercial music vs. “art” music
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d. John Lennon leaves the Beatles
54. Which of the following terms describes a timbre?
a. printed music
b. fast tempo
c. solo piano
d soft volume
e. thick texture
55. Which of the following refers to a short, instantly recognizable musical idea or fragment?
a. theme
b. motive
c. sequence
d. ostinato
e. drone
56. The steady underlying pulse that occurs in a piece of music is called the:
a. beat
b. pitch
c. timbre
d. dynamic
e. conjunct interval
57. Which of the following is a multi-movement work for solo instrument with orchestra?
a. symphony
b. concerto
c. opera
d. string quartet
e. sonata
58. Which of the following terms means the main melody in a Vivaldi concerto?
a. ritornello
b. tune
c. melody
d. subject
e. pianissimo
59. In any piece of music, the beat will always be played by the:
a. drums
b. bass c. cymbals
d. violins
e. it might not be played at all
60. The words "long" and "short" refer to which of the following terms?
a. pitch
b. rhythm
c. dynamics
d. timbre
e. motive
61. The words "loud" and "soft" refer to which of the following terms?
a. pitch
b. rhythm
c. dynamics
d. timbre
e. motive
62. The words "high" and "low" refer to which of the following terms?
a. pitch
b. rhythm
c. dynamics
d. timbre
e. motive
63. What is another name for monophonic texture?
a. harmony
b. chord
c. unison
d. contrast
e. disjunct
64. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the Concertmaster?
a. tuning up the orchestra
b. deciding on the bowings for the violin section
c. playing any passages written for solo violin
d. assuming the responsibility of conducting the performance if the conductor is unable
e. changing the notes in the orchestra's parts to suit his or her taste
III. Matching
65. _______
Common Practice
A. To gradually get softer
66. _______
Repetition
B. Soloist’s passage when orchestra stops playing
67. _______
Homophonic
C. Work composed for an orchestra and features a soloist
68. _______
Concerto
D. Something heard different from the previous section
69. _______
Variation
E. Resting place; temporary or permanent
70. _______
Decrescendo
F. Self-contained part of a larger composition
71. _______
Pipe Organ
G. One melody with some sort of accompaniment
72. _______
Contrast
H. When something is heard again, slightly differently
73. _______
Cadence
I.
74. _______
Monophonic
J. Two or more simultaneous melodies
75. _______
Movement
K. Period when musical flowed around a central key
76. _______
Key
L. A collection of dances
77. _______
Form
M. "King of instruments"
78. _______
Cadenza
N. One unaccompanied melody / Unison
79. _______
Suite
O. Central or "home" sound
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The structure of a musical work
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80. _______
Polyphonic
P. When something is heard again exactly the same
Answer Sheet and Part IV
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IV. True or False. For each statement, indicate if it is true or false. *BONUS - change each false statement to
make it read true.
81. ____
The "Three B's of Music" are Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
82. ____
A work called a concerto is probably performed with singing.
83. ____
A "classic" sensibility stresses an awareness of form and balance.
84. ____
The texture of a musical work will always remain constant all the way through.
85. ____
A cadenza is usually found in a concerto.
86. ____
Polyphonic texture, by its definition, contains harmony (not necessarily accompaniment).
87. ____
When you hear a piece of music, timbre might not necessarily be present.
88. ____
An opera is a multi-movement work for orchestra with an instrumental soloist.
89. _____ The term absolute music refers to a piece of music with a story.
90. _____ A cadenza is a multi-movement work for orchestra with a solo instrument.
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91. _____ The term program music refers to a piece of music without a story.
92. ____ It is customary and expected to applaud between movements of a recital.
93. ____
The timbre of a work may be described as loud or soft, fast or slow.
94. ____
"Art" music that centers around a key is said to be from the "Common Practice" period.
95. ______The most common meter you will encounter in music is four.
96. ______ The Common Practice Period was from 1700-1800.
97. ____
Polyphonic texture contains harmony.
98. ____
A "classic" sensibility stresses an awareness of form and balance.
99. ____ All "twelve-tone "music is atonal.
100. ___ All atonal music is "twelve-tone ".
Bonus: Explain how Vivaldi’s Spring is both program music as well as absolute music (music for its own sake)
What does the composition 4'33" mean to you?
Use “The Wizard Of Oz” to explain Sonata Allegro Form.
Please submit the last two pages (completed) to me by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 11. Be sure your name is on the
first answer sheet!
You may email to reese@lasalle.edu or dreese161@comcast.net. Please be sure that you receive a reply from
me! If you wish, you may also fax the completed exam answers to me at 215-855-0182. Please write your
email address on the faxed exam as well, so that I may send a receipt of your exam.
Thanks for a great semester! Best of luck for the remainder of your academic pursuits!!!
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