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CHAPTER 7 Musical Expression: Tempo and Dynamics
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played is its
a. meter. c. movement.
b. tempo. d. mood.
2. What emotional response would MOST likely be associated with an accelerating tempo?
a. peacefulness c. sadness
b. agitation d. exhaustion
3. Music that sounds despairing and sad usually has a ________ tempo.
a. fast c. slow
b. moderate d. vigorous
4. In what language are tempo markings generally given?
a. Italian c. German
b. French d. Dutch
5. Which marking is appropriate for a slow tempo?
a. andante c. piano
b. adagio d. allegro
6. Which of the following tempo markings does NOT indicate a slow tempo?
a. grave c. presto
b. largo d. adagio
7. Which of the following tempo markings is the fastest?
a. presto c. moderato
b. vivace d. allegro
8. Which of the following modifiers should be added to an allegro marking to indicate a very fast tempo?
a. meno c. non troppo
b. molto d. a tempo
9. The term accelerando indicates that the tempo is
a. getting slower. c. getting faster.
b. staying the same. d. returning to the original tempo.
10. The degree of loudness or softness, or volume, at which music is played is called
a. texture. c. timbre.
b. tempo. d. dynamics.
11. Which of the following dynamic markings is the softest?
a. pianissimo (pp) c. mezzo piano (mp)
b. piano (p) d. mezzo forte (mf )
12. Which of the following symbols indicates growing louder?
a. c. mp
b. d. mf
13. The gradual swelling of the volume of music is called
a. piano. c. accelerando.
b. adagio. d. crescendo.
14. The markings for tempo and dynamics contribute most directly to the
a. expressive content of a piece of music.
b. form of a piece of music.
c. thematic development of a piece of music.
d. tonality of a piece of music.
15. Which term indicates music that is growing softer?
a. crescendo c. piano
b. decrescendo d. forte
16. Which set of terms is arranged from loudest to softest?
a. forte, piano, pianissimo c. mezzo piano, piano, mezzo forte
b. piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte d. forte, fortissimo, mezzo piano
17. Which set of terms is arranged from softest to loudest?
a. mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo c. forte, mezzo forte, fortissimo
b. fortissimo, mezzo forte, forte d. forte, fortissimo, mezzo forte
18. What term would a composer use to indicate a holding back of the tempo?
a. accelerando c. a tempo
b. ritardando d. decrescendo
TRUE/FALSE
1. A tempo marking indicates the loudness of a piece of music.
2. The tempo of a piece affects its mood and character.
3. Allegro is an Italian term for a fast, cheerful tempo.
4. The degree of loudness and softness in music is called dynamics.
5. Composers dictate tempos and dynamics, and performers have no role in interpreting these elements.
6. The main dynamic indications are based on the German words for soft and loud.
7. Piano (p) means soft.
8. Mezzo forte means moderately soft.
9. Ritardando means holding back or getting slower.
10. Returning to the original pace of the music is called a tempo.
ESSAY
1. Describe how tempo and dynamics affect our response to music. Cite examples to support your response.
2. Describe how a performer can shape the mood of a piece, even if the work has precise tempo and dynamic markings.
