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Making the Band Trivia Quiz

A combination of music theory and random band trivia. I've been in school bands for six years... you can't not pick up useless music trivia!

A multiple-choice quiz by LadyCaitriona. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
LadyCaitriona

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
64,920

Updated
Sep 19 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2651

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In a repeated section there is a marking in italics that says "2nd 8va". The music for your instrument is written in the treble clef. What does this mean for you to do? Hint

Ignore it until the conductor corrects you.

Play the section an octave lower the second time through.

Play the section an octave higher the second time through.

Play the section either up or down the octave both times through.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these instruments would NOT usually play in the front row of a band or orchestra? Hint

Piccolo

Clarinet

French horn

Oboe

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of these instruments would replace a tuba in a marching band? Hint

Euphonium

Sousaphone

Baritone

Bassoon

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which set of instruments commonly play in a concert B♭ pitch? Hint

trumpet and soprano clarinet.

trumpets, soprano clarinets and tenor saxophones all use the same concert pitch.

soprano clarinet and tenor saxophone.

tenor saxophone and trumpet.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Whom should the band follow for the beat of the piece? Hint

The woodwinds

The percussionists

None of these

The brass

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these is the least common time signature? Hint

4 - 4

2 - 2

3 - 4

5 - 4

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Question 7 of 10

7. A tempo of sixty indicates what? Hint

There are sixty notes played per minute.

The piece is to be practiced sixty times before performing it.

There are sixty bars in the piece.

There are sixty beats per minute.

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Question 8 of 10

8. In a given piece of music, a section is broken up usually over three parts: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes there is a part for one person only to play, which is called what?

Answer: (One word, begins with "s" - English)

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Question 9 of 10

9. How do you play something staccato? Hint

short and loud

short

long

long and quiet

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Question 10 of 10

10. Sometimes electronic nowadays, what is the device called that conductors use to set a tempo?

Answer: (One word, begins with "m")

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In a repeated section there is a marking in italics that says "2nd 8va". The music for your instrument is written in the treble clef. What does this mean for you to do?

Answer: Play the section an octave higher the second time through.

There are lots of ways of writing this, the most common being "2nd 8va" or "2nd time 8va". Never play it down the octave unless it specifies "8va lower" or "8vb".

2. Which of these instruments would NOT usually play in the front row of a band or orchestra?

Answer: French horn

Facing the band (conductor's point of view), the French horns should sit in the back row on the right.

3. Which of these instruments would replace a tuba in a marching band?

Answer: Sousaphone

Named for the patron of marching music, John Philip Sousa. My high school didn't have a marching band, but we had a sousaphone.

4. Which set of instruments commonly play in a concert B♭ pitch?

Answer: trumpets, soprano clarinets and tenor saxophones all use the same concert pitch.

Tenor saxophones and soprano clarinets have a concert B♭ pitch. Trumpets may play one of several different pitches, but B♭ (and C) are the most common.

5. Whom should the band follow for the beat of the piece?

Answer: None of these

The conductor sets the beat, although most of the band usually ends up following the drummer. Not a good idea, though, especially if your drummer isn't very good.

6. Which of these is the least common time signature?

Answer: 5 - 4

5 - 4 is a relatively uncommon time signature to have occur, but there are a few popular band pieces that have it: the "Mission: Impossible" theme, for example, or Holst's "Mars: Bringer of War" from "The Planets".

7. A tempo of sixty indicates what?

Answer: There are sixty beats per minute.

A tempo of sixty is fairly adagio (slow), whereas a tempo of one hundred eighty is quite allegro (fast).

8. In a given piece of music, a section is broken up usually over three parts: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes there is a part for one person only to play, which is called what?

Answer: solo

My first solo was "Eidelweiss" in a "Sound of Music" medley when I was in tenth grade. I got a lot more later on when I became the clarinet section leader... my favourite was from Alfred Reed's "A Jubilant Overture". It was easy, but it sounded beautiful!

9. How do you play something staccato?

Answer: short

Staccato just means short. A staccto note with a piano marking should be played short and quiet, while a staccato note with a fortissimo marking should be played short and loud.

10. Sometimes electronic nowadays, what is the device called that conductors use to set a tempo?

Answer: metronome

Some conductors don't need them, but others do. It's not necessarily a bad thing for a conductor to require the aid of a metronome. I hope you enjoyed my quiz!

Source: Author LadyCaitriona

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