Question 1: Define the term 'forte' as used in music dynamics. How does it influence the way a piece is performed?

Answer: Forte means 'loud' in Italian. It indicates that the music should be played loudly, emphasizing strength and intensity.

Question 2: Identify the musical term that describes a gradual increase in volume. Provide an example of how this might be used in a piece of music.

Answer: Crescendo. It is used to gradually increase the volume, creating building tension or excitement in a passage.

Question 3: Describe the difference between a 'major' and a 'minor' scale in terms of their emotional character and sound quality.

Answer: A major scale generally sounds bright, happy, or cheerful, while a minor scale sounds sad, somber, or more serious.

Question 4: Listen to a piece of music (imagine a recording where the melody moves smoothly and evenly) and identify whether the rhythm is likely to be 'straight' or 'swing'.

Answer: The rhythm is likely to be 'straight' if the notes are evenly spaced, or 'swing' if the notes have a long-short pattern typical of jazz or blues styles.

Question 5: Identify the term used to describe the speed of a piece of music. What are some common markings found in sheet music to indicate tempo?

Answer: Tempo. Common markings include words like Allegro, Andante, Largo, and metronome markings specifying beats per minute.

Question 6: Explain what a 'chromatic scale' is and how it differs from a 'diatonic scale'.

Answer: A chromatic scale uses all twelve notes within an octave, each a semitone apart. A diatonic scale uses seven notes with specific whole and half steps, creating major or minor scales.

Question 7: Sketch a simple musical staff with five lines and draw a treble clef at the beginning. Label the clef and the lines from bottom to top.

Answer: A correct sketch should show five horizontal lines, a stylized treble clef symbol at the beginning, and labels for the lines (E, G, B, D, F).

Question 8: Identify the musical term that indicates a temporary return to the main theme after a contrasting section. Provide an example of where this might occur in a sonata form.

Answer: Recapitulation. It occurs after the development section, returning to the main theme to conclude the movement.

Question 9: Describe what a 'syncopation' is in music and how it affects the feel of a rhythm.

Answer: Syncopation involves emphasizing beats or parts of beats that are usually weak or unaccented, creating a rhythmic surprise or groove.

Question 10: Imagine you are listening to a piece where the melody frequently jumps between high and low notes in a smooth, connected way. What term describes this type of movement?

Answer: Legato, which describes smooth, connected notes with no noticeable breaks between them.