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Form in Music Theory Trivia Quiz

Form is the study of structure in music and is the subject of this quiz. Test your knowledge of common (and maybe not so common) forms and their common traits.

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

Author
bmrsnr

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
306,821

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1929

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. One of the simplest forms is also one of the most common. Not only is binary form a precursor to several other forms, but it is often embedded within these other forms. How many main sections does a binary form contain? Hint

Three

One

Seventeen

Two

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Question 2 of 10

2. Pieces in binary form can often be categorized according to their harmonic motion and melodic content. Which of the following terms would describe a binary form in which the first section saw a clear cadence in the tonic key and melodic material from the first section returned in the second? Hint

Rounded Continuous

Rounded Sectional

Simple Section

Simple Continuous

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Question 3 of 10

3. Ternary form, as the name implies, has three distinct parts. In most cases, the third section is a literal or amended repetition of the first part. Which of these types of pieces constitutes a ternary form? Hint

Da Capo Aria

Neither of these

Minuet and Trio

Both of these

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Question 4 of 10

4. In ternary (as well as other forms), a special section is sometimes included to bring the music back to the original material. In the case of ternary, it prepares the return of the A material. True or false: this section is called a retransition.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Sonata form is one of the most recognized and most utilized forms in western art music. Of the following sections, which is not commonly held to be a key component of a movement in sonata form? Hint

exposition

coda

recapitulation

development

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Question 6 of 10

6. In a four-movement sonata or symphony, which movement would most likely be written in sonata form? Hint

The third

The second

The first

The fourth

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Question 7 of 10

7. The theme and variations form is one of the easiest to understand. A composer will present a theme followed by several variations. Brahms composed a famous set of 25 variations (and a fugue to boot) for piano based upon a theme by what Baroque composer? Hint

Bach

Purcell

Vivaldi

Handel

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Question 8 of 10

8. A five part rondo would most commonly be realized in which of the following ways? Hint

ABABA

ABACA

ABCDA

ABCBA

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Question 9 of 10

9. The seven-part rondo is often molded into what is called sonata rondo. Which of the following conditions generally hold(s) true for sonata rondos? Hint

Both of these

The second B section returns in the tonic key

The C episode is highly developmental in nature

Neither of these

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Question 10 of 10

10. Art songs generally belong to one of two categories. Strophic songs set multiple lines of text to the same music. Is 'through-composed' the term that characterizes songs that are continuous and not repetitive?

Yes

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Two

As implied by its name, the binary form consists of two main parts, often called reprises.

Answer: Rounded Sectional

When the first reprise ends with a cadence in tonic, it is said to be harmonically closed. Thus, it could conceivably stand on its own. Such a binary is said to be sectional. If the main tune from the first reprise returns in the second reprise, the melodic content is said to be rounded.

Answer: Both of these

These two genres are synonymous with ternary form. The minuet generally contrasts nicely with the trio in terms of key and meter. Once the trio has ended, the minuet portion is repeated. Similarly, the da capo aria presents two contrasting sections and then repeats the first, hence the name "da capo" (from the head).

Answer: True

A transition generally moves the music away from the opening material while a retransition will bring the material back. They are also commonly found in sonata form and rondo.

Answer: coda

In the exposition, two themes are generally introduced, the second in a non-tonic key. The development is generally unstable harmonically and develops tunes from the exposition. A recapitulation brings the original tunes back, this time in the tonic key. A coda may be included but is not necessary.

6. In a four-movement sonata or symphony, which movement would most likely be written in sonata form?

Answer: The first

Sonata form is often called "first movement form" because most first movements are written in sonata form. Other movements may use sonata form as well (and not all first movements necessarily do).

Answer: Handel

Based on an aria by Handel, Brahms' 25 variations and a fugue on a theme by Handel is an important work for the solo piano, and its fugue is possibly the finest example of fugal treatment in the romantic era.

8. A five part rondo would most commonly be realized in which of the following ways?

Answer: ABACA

While ABCDA and ABCBA (where each letter refers to a theme) are theoretic possibilities, they are seldom (if ever) used. ABABA would be considered an expanded ternary form.

9. The seven-part rondo is often molded into what is called sonata rondo. Which of the following conditions generally hold(s) true for sonata rondos?

Answer: Both of these

Called sonata rondo because of its parallels to Sonata form, the second B section returns in the tonic and the C features transformations of the A or B material (or both). Thus, the breakdown would be considered: A1-B-A2 would form the exposition. C would form the development and A3-B2-A4 would constitute the recapitulation.

Answer: Yes

The name is exactly as it implies. A through-composed song features consistently new material or transformations and transpositions of old material. Much of 19th-century art song (or lieder) belongs to this category.

Source: Author bmrsnr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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