FIne Arts exams

At a piano lesson, the instructor tells the student to play a C. Then the instructor tells the student to play a half step higher. Which note should the student play next?

D♭

 

If the composer notes that the piece should be played fortissimo, they mean for it to be played at a very quick tempo.

False

Read these lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song “You Belong With Me”:

And you've got a smile

That could light up this whole town.

I haven't seen it in a while

Since she brought you down.

What rhyming pattern does this BEST represent?

common meter

At a recent concert, Sarah described the opening song: “It started off really slowly. I thought it was going to be a slow song. Suddenly, the song sped up and everyone started clapping and dancing.” Which element of music did the artist use to MOST likely create this memorable opening?

tempo

Mira is composing a song in 4/4 time. What is a logical configuration of notes for ONE complete bar of score?

two quarter notes

Emilia’s teacher tells her to change up the dynamics in her song. What should she do to revise her song according to her teacher’s advice?

She should vary the loudness and softness of her notes

Roberto is learning to play the drums with his classmates. Everyone hits the drum at the same time every time except for Roberto. He is about one second behind everyone else. In which element of music does Roberto MOST likely need to improve his skills?

rhythm

 

When using 4/4 time, the first beat will be the strongest beat, or the down-beat

True

Rubin’s orchestra conductor adds a notation on one part of their piece that says, “sforzando.” What will the orchestra do when it reaches this part of the piece?

They will suddenly increase their volume

Catalina is composing a piece of music in the key of C major. What is MOST likely to happen in her piece?

She will use the tonic chord (C, E, and G.)

Tonality refers to the system that organizes chords in a certain hierarchical order, where certain chords have greater degrees of stability and others sound less stable.

True

While listening to the latest song by her favorite singer, Fatima cannot help but start tapping her foot on the floor. Which musical element is MOST likely inspiring this foot-tapping behavior?

rhythm

Isabella has quite an ear for music. She can listen to song and name every instrument that is playing. What does Isabella have a gift for recognizing?

timbre

Ali’s instructor tells him that he needs this piece to be played adagio. How should Ali play this piece?

slow

One of the most famous pieces of music ever written is Beethoven’s “Moonlight,” which was composed for the piano. How would this piece MOST likely be classified?

sonata

Anna is composing a song on her piano using C scale. What will MOST likely be true about her song?

It will use notes that range from one C to the next nearest C

Valentino is competing against four other violinists for first chair in their next performance. Even though all four violinists will be performing, it would be an honor to be labeled as the best in their group. For what type of performing group is Valentino MOST likely auditioning?

a symphony orchestra

Delfina is auditioning to join an elite group of musical performers. She would be the only flute player in the group because they only allow one person to play each instrument. For what type of performing group is Delfina MOST likely auditioning?

a chamber ensemble

The Renaissance revealed a resurgence of Greek beliefs about music. How was this MOST accurately demonstrated?

Sir Thomas More argued that music could help clarify and interpret meanings of texts

Marisa has been listening to a madrigal that is light in style. It has three verses that are set to the same music. How would a musician categorize this madrigal?

ballet

 

Instruments were affected by the Renaissance period. How was this MOST accurately demonstrated?

Composers started to write musical pieces that focused on the instruments themselves.

When attending a play during the Renaissance, music was an integral part of the experience. How was this BEST demonstrated?

A consort would perform between the acts of a play

Woodwinds are instruments that involve a column of air within a pipe.

True

Catherine wants to learn more about the transition from Renaissance music to Baroque music. Which composer should she study to learn more about this type of music?

Giovanni Gabrieli

In the Catholic Church of the Renaissance, the Latin Mass included several main musical parts. What is one of the parts of that Mass called?

Credo

Compare the woodwinds of the Renaissance to the woodwinds that are produced today. What is MOST likely to be different between these two instruments?

Musicians used to make simpler instruments than what are made today.

When would a performer MOST likely play a viol?

when they wanted to make a sound of a stringed instrument

Which of the following was TRUE about a shawm?

It was a double reed instrument.

Christopher has trouble determining whether a song is a motet or a Mass. What is the BEST way for him to distinguish between these two types of music?

A Mass is always religious; a motet can be secular

Brass instruments were mainly played by professional musicians during the Renaissance, not by amateurs. Based on this fact, an AMATEUR would MOST likely be found playing during this time period?

a shawm

 

What is the MOST likely reason that music came to occupy a greater position in society during the Renaissance period?

The middle and upper classes were spending more time and money on leisure activities

Samuel wants to compose a piece for his church. He wants to compose a work that has instruments start from the right side of the church and voices follow from the left. What type of technique should he use?

antiphon

How was the act of dancing affected during the Renaissance period?

Dancing was considered more popular and more socially acceptable for everyone.

Monophonic music became increasingly popular during the Renaissance

False

Rhetta’s music teacher wants her to create a replica of a stringed instrument from the Renaissance period. What is the MOST accurate choice for Rhetta’s project?

hurdy-gurdy

Pedro has been assigned a project where he has to write a song in the style of a Renaissance song. He has chosen to write a madrigal. What is one thing he can do to MOST accurately represent a madrigal in his piece?

He can use verses from a popular poem for his lyrics.

A very famous sculpture is Michelangelo’s David. You have been researching this sculpture and are preparing for a presentation to your classmates. What TRUE statement can you share with your classmates about this piece of art?

It was a nude standing male figure that did not include the head of Goliath

El Greco was a Mannerist artist who was known for dark, gloomy paintings that often featured figures so elongated and out of proportion that they almost seem to have been tortured into their shapes

True

While studying the Renaissance period, your classmates are confused about the ideas behind this movement. To help them out, your friend Dean describes many of the ideas that were influential during this time. When he lists them for your classmates, you find that one of his statements seems incorrect. Which of Dean’s statements does NOT apply to the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a movement that sought to revitalize and revive prehistoric artforms.

 

In some of his paintings, da Vinci uses sfumato. When an artist uses this method, what is the effect on the painting?

It creates greater warmth around figures and gives the scene a more dream-like appearance

Compare Donatello’s two famous statues of David. What is one thing these two statues have in common?

Both are free-standing

 

During a presentation about Renaissance art, your classmate Deion talks about common characteristics shared by art from this time period. All of his statements seem correct to you except one. Which of his statements is NOT true?

Almost all Renaissance art revolves around the topics of religion and faith

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is thought to be a portrait of da Vinci’s mother, Lisa Gheradini

False

Although you are best known at school for being a competitive swimmer, you do an excellent job creating an intricate, interactive school project. Everyone is impressed with your skills. Your teacher tells you that you are a real “Renaissance man.” How would you interpret what a Renaissance man is?

A well-rounded individual who is capable of excelling at a variety of tasks and skills

. 

While discussing Early Netherlandish art, one of your classmates, Jared, claims that this art period really has no real value. He says all of the important art during this time was being created in Italy. What would you tell Jared to prove to him that Early Netherlandish art has value?

This art influenced some of the more traditional Early Renaissance art and acted as a bridge between characteristics of Gothic and Renaissance art.

Your classmate Tamira is discussing Renaissance art sculpture and is discussing a sculptor from this period. Which artist is she MOST LIKELY discussing?

Donatello

While studying Mannerism, what is something you would MOST LIKELY come across?

It sometimes featured exaggerated proportions or perspectives that were distorted

When comparing late Gothic or Netherlandish art with Renaissance art, what is one difference that makes these art periods unique?

Netherlandish art maintained and incorporated some aspects of Gothic art in ways that Renaissance art did not.

Although religious topics and themes were still popular in Renaissance art, so too were secular topics, such as those from mythology.

True

 

During the Renaissance, there was a connection between science and art. Artists had a lot of influence over science during this time. What is an example of how science and art were connected during this time?

Renaissance artists helped create a consistent anatomical vocabulary for parts of the body

Your classmate Phillip has to research an artist as part of his work on a project. He is interested in learning more about Mannerist art. He enjoys painting and would like to focus on a painter from this period. Which artist would you suggest he research for his project?

Parmagianino

Which artist was the first Western artist to have a biography of himself written before he died? This artist was often viewed by the public as having a touch of the divine, as evidenced by his nickname Il Divino (or “the divine one”).

Michelangelo

Compare Mozart to the concept of a modern-day rock star. What did these two MOST likely have in common

They lived hard and died young

What change happened during the Classical era that MOST influenced the accessibility of music?

More venues, like opera houses and concert halls, opened around Europe

What is generally TRUE about the influences on the Classical era of music?

Many musicians were influenced by the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome

The Classical period was the first time composers wrote for full sections of woodwind, brass, and string instruments in the orchestra

True

 

Compare Beethoven’s early work to his late period work. How did these works MOST likely differ?

His late period work was more personal and intense

When writing a composition using sonata form, what should the “B” section of the form represent?

development

Which composer was nicknamed “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet”?

Haydn

Tristan is attending his first symphony. What is MOST likely going to happen at the start of the symphony performance?

The movement will be brisk, fast, and upbeat

The music of the Classical period is described as being more “simple” than the music of the Baroque period. How is this BEST demonstrated?

it sounds simpler to the listener.

 

Bruno wants to compose a work that is representative of the Classical period. How would he BEST demonstrate this period of music?

He should create an expanded, large-scale work

Kerry is writing a piece that uses a tonic chord. How will her audience MOST likely recognize this technique?

It will add a pleasing effect when ending the piece of music

Denise is watching a performance of a famous symphony. Her friend says the performers are now playing the Adagio movement. Which movement are Denise and her friend MOST likely hearing?

The Second Movement

Mozart’s concerts were a large success and helped him establish a loyal following

True

What statement MOST accurately describes “classical music” and music from the Classical period?

Only music composed from 1750-1830 is considered from the Classical period

Who wrote the famous piece, Surprise Symphony?

Hadyn

Maria is listening to a song and trying to figure out if it is from the Classical era. What would MOST likely convince Maria that it is from the Classical period?

It uses homophony

When listening to a piece in sonata form, Katarina hears the three parts: ABA. However, the music continues after the ABA pattern. What is Katarina MOST likely hearing in this continuation?

coda

Jacqueline is trying to better understand works by Impressionist painters. Whose art should Jacqueline focus on?

Claude Monet

Which artist’s works BEST demonstrate Cubism?

Pablo Picasso

Which artist created the famous work known as The Scream?

Edvard Munch

Your classmate Patrice is obsessed with ballet. She wants to see the works of an Impressionist painter who creates works where dancers are in the midst of performances or practicing in a studio. Whose work would you recommend Patrice observe?

Edgar Degas

Your friend Quentin loves the paintings that are made of small, distinct dots of color that are placed on the canvas to create an image. Which artist’s work should he look for if he wants to see more of this pointillism in action?

Georges Seurat

Your classmate Joaquin argues that there was no American influence on the Impressionist movement. You believe Joaquin is wrong. Which artist best demonstrates an American influence on Impressionism?

Mary Cassatt

The central characteristic of Art Nouveau is the flowing, curving lines in the art.

True

What work of art should you study to  better understand Impressionist paintings?

Water Lilies

The Academie des Beaux-Arts made a big impact on the art world in France. Which of the following options is TRUE about this group?

They hosted the annual Salon de Paris, a juried art show

Which Postimpressionist described his own work as “savage” and was inspired by his experiences in places around the world such as Peru, the South Pacific, and India?

Paul Gauguin

Which Impressionist created many famous paintings of water lilies?

Claude Monet

During the mid-19th century, a movement developed that sought to depict objects, people, and landscapes as truthfully as possible in art. Its artists tried to avoid artificial aspects as well as supernatural elements in their work. It rejected Romanticism in favor of common people and places. Its works focused on everyday life. What movement does this describe?

Realism

The first permanent photograph was the view from a window. Why might this particular scene have been easier for the photographer rather than an image of a person or an animal?

Early photographs required long exposure periods making a still scene simpler to achieve

Postimpressionists didn’t completely reject Impressionism. In fact, they kept many elements of Impressionism in their work. What element did they want to change from Impressionist paintings?

its lack of deeper topics