Music Scenarios

Click on 'Aural Skills' to train your listening skills with music examples. Stay here to train your understanding and use of terminology with multiple choice quizzes! These quizzes will provide a short music scenario.  Try to guess the 2 terms that best describe the scenario!

Why?

It helps you look for better terminology that can be used within short punchy sentences.  By trying to apply terminology to the scenarios, you're critically thinking about how each term relates to the sentences, reinforcing the language of the concepts of music.

"A percussion ensemble is playing a piece with multiple rhythmic layers, where each instrument contributes a unique and busy rhythmic pattern, resulting in a thick texture."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Polyrhythm + Active

b) Syncopation + Inactive

c) Accents + Unifying Layers

"An orchestral work with a section featuring woodwind instruments playing a lively off the beat melody, while the brass section provides a strong, straight rhythmic accompaniment."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Inactive + Largo

b) Syncopation + Polyrhythm

c) Hemiola + Homophonic

"A piece in which a melody is played by the flute and is accompanied by the strings section, which is playing a repetitive pattern with a consistent harmonic rhythm. "

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Pedal Point + Ritenuto

b) Homophonic + Ostinato

c) Swing + Contrasting layers

"A jazz piece where the saxophone plays a melody with a strong sense of forward motion with dotted rhythms, while the piano provides rhythmic and harmonic support using broken chords. "

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Swing + Broken Chords

b) Hemiola + Block Chords

c) Repetition + Drone

"A classical piano work where the left hand plays a series of ascending and descending pitches in step, while the right hand plays a melody characterised by short, detached notes."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Arpeggio + Rubato

b) Accelerando + Monophonic

c) Scalic + Staccato

"A composition that starts with a single instrument playing a simple melody, followed by other instruments entering one by one repeating that idea, each slightly adding to the complexity of the rhythm and harmony."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Heterophonic + Tempo

b) Staggered Entry + Imitation

c) Contrast + Ritenuto

"A choral piece in which a soloist sings a melodic line and the choir responds by repeating the same line with slight variations, creating a sense of dialogue and contrast."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Sequence + Homophonic

b) Call & Response + Homophonic

c) Swing + Staggered Entry

"A guitar solo that incorporates rapid, smooth runs interspersed with moments of sustained, high-pitched notes, creating an engaging and expressive performance."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Arpeggio + Drone

b) Drone + Accelerando

c) Scalic + Rubato

"A string quartet playing a piece with a fast, lively tempo, where the first violin plays the melody and the cello plays a similar melody while making embellishments and decorations."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Vivave + Heterophonic

b) Drone + Accelerando

c) Accelerando + Monophonic

"A piano piece that begins with a soft, low-pitched melody, gradually introducing additional layers of sound, including a high-pitched melody and a rhythmic pattern in the middle register."

Which 2 term best describe this scenario?

a) Repetition + Unifying Layers

b) Ritenuto + Contrasting Layers

c) Low register + Polyphonic