La Salle University
MUS 150 Art of Listening
Final Exam
Name ______________________________
I. Listening
Excerpt One: Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet: “For Other Eyes”
1. Which of the following terms best defines the overall timbre of this example?
a. sad
b. slow
c. soft
d baritone voice with string instruments
e. no timbre
2. Which of the following describes the form of this selection?
a. B1A1BA
b. B1C1A1
c. AA1BA2A3
d. C1AC2AC3A e. CB1AB1CB1AB1
3. Which of the following describes the meter of this example?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. non-metric
e. no meter
4. When the B section starts, what changes?
a. the rhythm
b. the timbre
c. the melody
d. the text pattern
e. all of the above
5. When the meaning of the lyrics are portrayed in the music, it is known as ____________ .
a. word painting
b. illustrative
c. conceptual
d. cryptic
e. picturesque
Bonus 1: (After #71 on the Answer Sheet) Specific timbre of this example?
Excerpt Two: J.S. Bach “Bourree”
6. The larger work that this selection is taken from is classified as a(n)
a. opera.
b. symphony.
c. song.
d. suite.
e. short story
7. The rhythmic motive in this example is:
a. repeated b. never heard again c. difficult to identify d. played with a different rhythm e. all of the
above
8. Which of the following describes the meter of this example?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. non-metric
e. no meter
9. Which of the following terms best defines the timbre of this example?
a. moderately fast b. medium loud
c. minor key
d. word painting
e. acoustic guitar
10. This work is composed around a “home sound” called a _____________.
a. motive
b. rhythm c. key
d. form
e. program
11. When music does not have a story or something descriptive, it is known as ____________ music.
a. absolute
b. illustrative
c. concept
d. program
e. picture
12. What is the form of this entire selection?
a. ACBC
b. BCAC
c. AABB
d. ABA
13. This work is based on the form and rhythms of a:
a. story b. text
c. dance d. song e. all of the above
e. CBAA
Bonus 2: (After #71 on the Answer Sheet) Number of measures in the A section of this example?
Excerpt Three: A. Vivaldi: “Spring”
14. Which of the following terms best defines this type of work?
a. symphony
b. concerto
c. suite
d. song
e. video
15. How many movements are there in this complete work?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
e. five
16. When music has a story or something descriptive, it is known as ____________ music.
a. absolute
b. illustrative
c. concept
d. program
17. What is the general form of this entire selection?
a. ACBC
b. BCAC
c. AABB
d. ABACADA
e. picture
e. CBAA
18. The theme in this example is:
a. absent b. never heard again c. difficult to identify d. repeated throughout with variations e. none of
the above
Bonus 3: (After #71 on the Answer Sheet) Specific timbre of this example?
Excerpt Four: Sammartini: “Symphony In F Major” , first movement
19. This work is from the Roccoco period. What is the name I use to refer to this period?
a. Common practice b. Three strikes and you’re out c. Ugly Duckling d. Pre Hip Hop e. all of the
above
20. The larger work that this selection is taken from is classified as a(n)
a. opera
b. symphony
c. song
d. suite
e. short story
21. This example may be seen as an “immature” version of what?
a. The modern opera b. Sonata Allegro form c. Popular music d. Religious music
e. Vocal music
22. Which of the following illustrates a basic idea of the overall form of this movement?
a. AABB b. AABABA
c. AA1A2A3
d. ABABAB
e. ABCDE
23. Which family of instruments is prominently featured in this example?
a. electronic
b. keyboard
c. string
d. percussion e. voice
Bonus 4: (After #71 on the Answer Sheet) Specific timbre of this example?
Excerpt Five: W.A. Mozart: “Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550, first movement”
24. Which of the following illustrates a basic idea of the overall form of this movement?
a. AABA
b. ABACADA
c. AA1A2A3
d. ABABAB
e. ABCDE
25. The larger work that this selection is taken from is classified as a
a. concerto
b. symphony.
c. song
d. suite.
e. short story
26. If you listen to this work as “absolute” music, what is taking place in this excerpt?
a. Theme One b. the Exposition c. the Home Key d. all of the above
27. Which of the following refers to the TIMBRE of this example?
a. moderately fast
b. meter in 4
c. gradual changes from soft to loud
Bonus 5: (After #71 on the Answer Sheet) Meter of this example?
d. a full orchestra
II. Multiple Choice
28. Which of the following classifications refers to one who relies more on emotion, drama, flexibility in
structure, and effect in their art?
a. bohemian
b. foreign
c. classic
d. romantic
e. pedantic
29. In the Recapitulation of Sonata Allegro form, for the first time, theme 2 is?
a. repeated
b. louder
c. faster
d. in the home key
e. absent
30. 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
31. Which of the following is not required to fit our definition of music?
a. time
b. organization
c. singing
d. sound
32. Which of the following terms is describing timbre?
a. printed music
b. fast
c. solo guitar d soft
e. texture
33. Which of the following refers to a short, instantly recognizable musical idea or fragment?
a. theme
b. motive
c. sequence
d. ostinato
e. drone
34. 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
35. Which of the following refers to the melody in a “serious” musical composition?
a. theme
b. motive
c. sequence
d. ostinato
e. drone
36. Which of the following classifications refers to more of an adherence to balance, structure, and formal
considerations in their art?
a. bohemian
b. foreign
c. classic
d. romantic
37. Which of the following terms refers to a series of dances?
a. concerto
b. sonata
c. symphony
e. pedantic
d. song
e. suite
38. Which of the following terms means “instrumental work in a fast tempo”?
a. concerto
b. sonata allegro
c. symphony
d. song
e. movement
39. Which of the following terms is a description of the tempo of a musical example?
a. loud
b. homophonic
c. fast
d four
e. violin
40. When listening to music, the “home sound” with a common center of stability is called the:
a. meter
b. key
c. measure
d. scale
e. dynamic
41. The twelve-tone system of composition is a concept that was created and developed by:
a. Bach
b. Beethoven
c. Schoenberg
d. Miles Davis
42. When music is performed that is never heard the same way twice, it is called:
a. indeterminacy
b. chance
c. aleatoric
d. all of the above
43. In much of the music that we hear, the beat is something that is typically:
a. clearly heard b. missing
c. implied
d. played by one person
44. What does the term “modulate” mean?
a. change speed
b. change key c. change theme
e. sung
d. change song
45. The term “atonal” refers to an absence of:
a. sound
b. rhythm c. melody d. key
e. songs
46. Which of the following terms best defines the meter of a musical example?
a. loud
b. homophonic
c. fast
d four
e. violin
47. In a “typical” example of Sonata Allegro form, the Coda section contains only a:
a. new movement
b. new theme
c. new key
d. big cadence
e. repeated note
48. Which of the following does not typically happen to signify the end of the Development / beginning of
the Recapitulation?
a. running out of “steam”
b. a new key
c. the home key
d. Theme 1
49. Which of the following occurs in the Development of Sonata-Allegro form?
a. we hear the home key
d. we hear the second theme in the home key
b. we hear the first theme in the home key
e. the themes are fragmented and modulate constantly
c. the movement comes to an end
50. Which of the following terms refers to a piece of music with singing?
a. concerto
b. sonata
c. symphony
d. song
51. The energy present in a piece of music is referred to as the:
a. groove
b. tempo
c. tune
d. subito
e. cadence
e. suite
52. In a concerto, when the orchestra stops playing to allow the soloist to “show off”, it is called a(n):
a. exposition
b. development
c. coda
d. cadenza
e. modulation
53. Which of the following sections is repeated?
a. Exposition
b. Development c. Recapitulation
d. Coda
54. Which of the following does not happen in the Exposition of Sonata Allegro Form?
a. a modulation
b. a coda
c. two themes d. the home key
e. a new key
55. Classical period music will often announce "This Is The End" when approaching:
a. the first Exposition
b. a concerto
c. a cadence
d. a texture
e. a beat
56. Which movement of a composition will you typically find in Sonata Allegro form?
a. first
b. second
c. third
d. fourth
e. all
57. Which of the following do we hear at the beginning of the Recapitulation in Sonata Allegro form?
a. first theme in the home key
d. bridge (transition or moving music) modulating
b. second theme in the home key
c. a singer’s cadenza
e. second theme in a new key
58. 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
59. What would you NOT expect to hear in a Development section?
a. home key
b. polyphonic texture
c. intensity
d. motives e. modulation
60. Which of the following terms best defines the dynamics of a musical example?
a. loud
b. homophonic
c. fast
d four
e. violin
61. Which of the following would you expect in the first movement of a work from the Classical Period?
a. it is slow b. it features dancing c. it is in Sonata Allegro form
d. it is short
e. it does not end
62. The term for music that contains no program and is to be enjoyed for its own sake is:
a. single
b. instrumental
c. basic
d. absolute e. dramatic
63. How many themes are usually contained in Sonata Allegro form?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
e. five
III. Matching
64. _______
Word painting
A. Energy present in the flow of music
65. _______
Exposition
B. How the beats are grouped (usually 2, 3, or 4)
66. _______
Suite
C. Pattern of shorts and longs
67. _______
Rhythm
D. Two Sections, each repeated: AABB
68. _______
Meter
E. Part of Sonata Allegro Form all in the home key
69. _______
Groove
F. Using musical means to illustrate the text
70. _______
Binary Form
G. Sonata Allegro section - themes/keys introduced
71. _______
Recapitulation
H. Collection of dances
Answer Sheet and Part IV
Name ______________________
1
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21.
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41. _____
61. _____
2
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22.
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42. _____
62. _____
3
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23.
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43. _____
63. _____
4
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24.
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44. _____
64. _____
5
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25.
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45. _____
65. _____
6
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26.
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46. _____
66. _____
7
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27.
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47. _____
67. _____
8
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28.
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48. _____
68. _____
9
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29.
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49. _____
69. _____
10 . _____
30.
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50. _____
70. _____
11 . _____
31.
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51. _____
71. _____
12 . _____
32.
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52. _____
Bonus 1:__________
13 . _____
33.
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53. _____
Bonus 2:__________
14 . _____
34.
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54. _____
Bonus 3:__________
15 . _____
35.
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55. _____
Bonus 4:__________
16 . _____
36.
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56. _____
Bonus 5:__________
17 . _____
37.
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57. _____
18 . _____
38.
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58. _____
19 . _____
39.
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59. _____
20 . _____
40.
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60. _____
IV. True or False. For each statement, indicate if it is true or false. *BONUS - change each false
statement to make it read true.
72. _____ The term absolute music refers to a piece of music with a story.
73. _____ The term program music refers to a piece of music with a story.
74. _____ A symphony is a multi-movement work for orchestra with a solo instrument.
75. _____ The Exposition is the first time you will hear Theme 2 in the home key.
76. ______The most common meter you will encounter in music is four.
77. _____ "Serious" music that centers around a key is said to be from the "Common Practice" period.
78. _____ The art music of the twentieth century is characterized by a strengthening of tonality, reinforcing
a central "key", and following all rules of the “Common Practice Period”.
79. _____ The first movement of most all works from the Classical period is in sonata allegro form.
80. _____ Any work that is in sonata allegro form is automatically the first movement.
81. _____ The start of the Development section occurs when the music runs out of steam, and we hear the
home key and theme 1 again.
82. _____ The Recapitulation generally does not change key, but stays in the home key.
83. _____ All "twelve-tone "music is atonal.
84. _____ All atonal music is "twelve-tone ".
85. _____ Romanticism displays an interest in the individual, drama, expression, and freedom.
86. _____ A "classic" sensibility stresses an awareness of form and balance.
87. _____ The end of the Common Practice Period occurs with the loss of rhythm and form.
88. _____ It is generally unacceptable to applaud between movements of a composition.
*Bonus: Please feel free to add an extra page to answer these questions if you need more room!
*List ways in which Beethoven changed the flow of Sonata Allegro form (referring to the PDQ Bach video
in class).
*What is the name I use for the Rococo Period and why?
*Describe Arnold Schoenberg’s 12-tone method of composition
*Follow the example that compares the plot of The Wizard of Oz to Sonata Allegro form. Use examples
from the drama, and give the structural names from the form.
**Double bonus: Follow the same example, but use a different dramatic work of your choosing.
*Discuss any of the works on the program of the in-class guitar recital. Use relevant terminology.
Please submit the last two pages (completed) to me by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 10. Be sure your name is on
the first answer sheet! Thanks for a great semester! Best of luck for the remainder of your academic
pursuits!!!