CLEP Humanities : Understanding Terminology That Describes Classical Music
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for CLEP Humanities
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Performing Arts
The note allegro on sheet music tells musicians __________.
to play the music in half time
to play the music softly
to play the music loudly
to play the piece at a brisk, bright pace
to play the music at a slow, somber pace
to play the piece at a brisk, bright pace
"Allegro" is one of the many Italian words that can be placed above a staff on sheet music, to indicate at what tempo a piece should be played. "Allegro" indicates a brisk pace, and for the musician to play the piece brightly. Usually, a tempo marker is given for an entire piece, but sometimes multiple tempo markers can be given throughout a piece.
Example Question #62 : Performing Arts
What is the name of the traditional first movement in a classical symphony?
Concerto
Opera
Minuet
Sonata
Allegro
Sonata
The "classical symphony" features four separate movements: a sonata, or up-tempo section; an adagio, or slow movement; a minuet, or 3/4 dance section; and another up-tempo piece. This format was developed in the late eighteenth century by composers such as Mozart and Haydn. Nonetheless, despite its typical form, a symphony does not always have to adhere to such a strict format.
Example Question #31 : Music
The concertmaster in an orchestra usually plays which instrument?
Violin
Flute
Cello
Viola
Trumpet
Violin
The concertmaster is the leader of the musicians in an orchestra, and in some smaller ensembles takes the place of a conductor in controlling the pace, rhythm, and timing of a piece. The concertmaster is almost always a violinist, and sits in the front row of the orchestra, so the audience can clearly see him or her.
Example Question #32 : Music
How many keys does a typical piano keyboard have?
88
100
52
144
36
88
The modern piano was developed from the Baroque harpsichord, which plucked instead of hammered the strings in the soundboard. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, particularly fueled by Romantic compositions, the piano was made to both be larger and sound larger. Around this time, the keyboard was expanded to include 88 keys, to give it a full 7 1/3 octaves, where the standard for a piano remains today.
Example Question #33 : Music
Which of the following voice types is the highest in register?
Alto
Baritone
Tenor
Soprano
Bass
Soprano
In order to identify which singers can sing which part in classical music, human voices are divided into various parts. The highest, and typically most showy, is the soprano, a category usually reserved for the highest female registers. A soprano is usually the lead part and takes some of the most impressive solo work.
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