Variations in music are, in their simplest terms, changes. This KS3 music quiz on variations requires understanding of variation form, knowledge of some musical definitions and a basic knowledge of music theory.
The dictionary definition of 'variation' is 'a different or distinct form or version of something'. In music the definition is much the same. A variation is a technique in which a piece is repeated in a slightly altered form. The differences may be in the rhythm, the melody, the timbre, the harmony, the counterpoint, the orchestration or just about anything else!
See how much knowledge you have picked up on the subject of variations by playing this quiz on the topic. Take your time and read each question thoroughly before you select which answers you think are correct. And don't forget to read the helpful comments which follow each question - they might help to clarify anything you are unsure of. Good luck!.
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1.
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What happens in 'variation form'? |
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A theme is played once, followed by a contrasting theme |
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A theme is repeated and remains identical each time |
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A theme is repeated and changed in some way each time |
| [ ] |
None of the above |
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2.
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What aspects of a theme can change in variation form? |
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| [ ] |
Chords |
| [ ] |
Tempo |
| [ ] |
Metre |
| [ ] |
All of the above |
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3.
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Which of these is a mode for a scale degree? |
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Phyrigian |
| [ ] |
Freezian |
| [ ] |
Ironian |
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All of the above |
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4.
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A basic major triad is ....... |
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a type of loud drone heard in wedding music |
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a chord with a bass root, a major 3rd and perfect 5th |
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a type of key signature |
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None of the above |
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5.
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A minor triad is ....... |
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a chord with a root and diminished 3rd and 5ths |
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a chord with a root, a major 3rd and perfect 5th |
| [ ] |
a chord with a root, a minor 3rd and perfect 5th |
| [ ] |
a type of sad sounding piece played by a flute |
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6.
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'Andante' is representative of ....... |
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| [ ] |
dynamic |
| [ ] |
key signature |
| [ ] |
tempo |
| [ ] |
All of the above |
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7.
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Which of these terms relate to metre? |
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| [ ] |
Compound duple |
| [ ] |
Compound triple |
| [ ] |
Simple duple |
| [ ] |
All of the above |
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8.
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When the root of a chord is not in the bass it is ....... |
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| [ ] |
a warning of an impending loud passage |
| [ ] |
a warning of an oncoming key change |
| [ ] |
an inversion |
| [ ] |
signalling the end of a movement |
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9.
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What best describes a musical 'ornament' |
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| [ ] |
A decorative musical flourish around a particular note |
| [ ] |
A dynamic marking |
| [ ] |
A key signature marking |
| [ ] |
A time signature marking |
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10.
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A retrograde inversion is most like ....... |
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| [ ] |
writing a theme backwards and upside down |
| [ ] |
a quiet chord played repeatedly |
| [ ] |
a type of synthesizer pitch bend effect |
| [ ] |
None of the above |
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1.
|
What happens in 'variation form'? |
|
| [ ] |
A theme is played once, followed by a contrasting theme |
| [ ] |
A theme is repeated and remains identical each time |
| [x] |
A theme is repeated and changed in some way each time |
| [ ] |
None of the above |
|
|
|
2.
|
What aspects of a theme can change in variation form? |
|
| [ ] |
Chords |
| [ ] |
Tempo |
| [ ] |
Metre |
| [x] |
All of the above |
|
|
|
3.
|
Which of these is a mode for a scale degree? |
|
| [x] |
Phyrigian |
| [ ] |
Freezian |
| [ ] |
Ironian |
| [ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
|
4.
|
A basic major triad is ....... |
|
| [ ] |
a type of loud drone heard in wedding music |
| [x] |
a chord with a bass root, a major 3rd and perfect 5th |
| [ ] |
a type of key signature |
| [ ] |
None of the above |
|
|
|
5.
|
A minor triad is ....... |
|
| [ ] |
a chord with a root and diminished 3rd and 5ths |
| [ ] |
a chord with a root, a major 3rd and perfect 5th |
| [x] |
a chord with a root, a minor 3rd and perfect 5th |
| [ ] |
a type of sad sounding piece played by a flute |
|
|
|
6.
|
'Andante' is representative of ....... |
|
| [ ] |
dynamic |
| [ ] |
key signature |
| [x] |
tempo |
| [ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
|
7.
|
Which of these terms relate to metre? |
|
| [ ] |
Compound duple |
| [ ] |
Compound triple |
| [ ] |
Simple duple |
| [x] |
All of the above |
|
|
|
8.
|
When the root of a chord is not in the bass it is ....... |
|
| [ ] |
a warning of an impending loud passage |
| [ ] |
a warning of an oncoming key change |
| [x] |
an inversion |
| [ ] |
signalling the end of a movement |
|
|
|
9.
|
What best describes a musical 'ornament' |
|
| [x] |
A decorative musical flourish around a particular note |
| [ ] |
A dynamic marking |
| [ ] |
A key signature marking |
| [ ] |
A time signature marking |
|
|
|
10.
|
A retrograde inversion is most like ....... |
|
| [x] |
writing a theme backwards and upside down |
| [ ] |
a quiet chord played repeatedly |
| [ ] |
a type of synthesizer pitch bend effect |
| [ ] |
None of the above |
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