Social Science

Music Theory

1,843 Questions

Review fundamental music theory concepts including scales, chords, intervals, and musical notation. These questions also cover instrument techniques and improvisation methods. Practice these objective questions to build a strong foundation for performing arts and fine arts evaluations.

Musical intervals and notesChords and harmonyScales and formulasMusical notation symbolsInstrumental techniquesJazz improvisation

Music Theory Questions

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a major 7th chord and a dominant 7th chord?

  1. The major 7th chord has a major 3rd and a minor 7th, while the dominant 7th chord has a major 3rd and a major 7th.

  2. The major 7th chord has a minor 3rd and a major 7th, while the dominant 7th chord has a major 3rd and a minor 7th.

  3. The major 7th chord has a minor 3rd and a minor 7th, while the dominant 7th chord has a major 3rd and a major 7th.

  4. The major 7th chord has a major 3rd and a major 7th, while the dominant 7th chord has a minor 3rd and a minor 7th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The major 7th chord has a major 3rd and a major 7th, while the dominant 7th chord has a major 3rd and a minor 7th. This difference in the 7th note gives the two chords their characteristic sound.

Multiple choice

What is a diminished chord?

  1. A chord that has a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th.

  2. A chord that has a major 3rd and a diminished 5th.

  3. A chord that has a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th.

  4. A chord that has a major 3rd and a perfect 5th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A diminished chord is a chord that has a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th. This combination of intervals gives the chord a dark and mysterious sound.

Multiple choice

What is an augmented chord?

  1. A chord that has a major 3rd and an augmented 5th.

  2. A chord that has a minor 3rd and an augmented 5th.

  3. A chord that has a major 3rd and a perfect 5th.

  4. A chord that has a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An augmented chord is a chord that has a major 3rd and an augmented 5th. This combination of intervals gives the chord a bright and cheerful sound.

Multiple choice

What is a suspended chord?

  1. A chord that has a major 2nd and a perfect 5th.

  2. A chord that has a minor 2nd and a perfect 5th.

  3. A chord that has a major 3rd and a perfect 5th.

  4. A chord that has a minor 3rd and a perfect 5th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A suspended chord is a chord that has a major 2nd and a perfect 5th. This combination of intervals gives the chord a light and airy sound.

Multiple choice

What is a polychord?

  1. A chord that is made up of two or more chords played simultaneously.

  2. A chord that is made up of three or more chords played simultaneously.

  3. A chord that is made up of four or more chords played simultaneously.

  4. A chord that is made up of five or more chords played simultaneously.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A polychord is a chord that is made up of two or more chords played simultaneously. Polychords can be used to create complex and interesting harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a cluster chord?

  1. A chord that is made up of a group of notes that are close together on the keyboard.

  2. A chord that is made up of a group of notes that are far apart on the keyboard.

  3. A chord that is made up of a group of notes that are randomly chosen.

  4. A chord that is made up of a group of notes that are arranged in a specific order.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A cluster chord is a chord that is made up of a group of notes that are close together on the keyboard. Cluster chords can be used to create dense and dissonant harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a quartal chord?

  1. A chord that is made up of four notes that are stacked in fourths.

  2. A chord that is made up of four notes that are stacked in thirds.

  3. A chord that is made up of four notes that are stacked in fifths.

  4. A chord that is made up of four notes that are stacked in sixths.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A quartal chord is a chord that is made up of four notes that are stacked in fourths. Quartal chords can be used to create open and airy harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a quintal chord?

  1. A chord that is made up of five notes that are stacked in fifths.

  2. A chord that is made up of five notes that are stacked in thirds.

  3. A chord that is made up of five notes that are stacked in fourths.

  4. A chord that is made up of five notes that are stacked in sixths.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A quintal chord is a chord that is made up of five notes that are stacked in fifths. Quintal chords can be used to create rich and full harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a major 9th chord?

  1. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  2. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.

  3. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  4. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A major 9th chord is a chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th. Major 9th chords can be used to create bright and cheerful harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a minor 9th chord?

  1. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th.

  2. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a minor 9th.

  3. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th.

  4. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a minor 9th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A minor 9th chord is a chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th. Minor 9th chords can be used to create dark and mysterious harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a dominant 9th chord?

  1. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  2. A chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.

  3. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  4. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A dominant 9th chord is a chord that has a major 3rd, a perfect 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th. Dominant 9th chords can be used to create tense and unresolved harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is a diminished 9th chord?

  1. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a diminished 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th.

  2. A chord that has a minor 3rd, a diminished 5th, a major 7th, and a minor 9th.

  3. A chord that has a major 3rd, a diminished 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th.

  4. A chord that has a major 3rd, a diminished 5th, a major 7th, and a minor 9th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A diminished 9th chord is a chord that has a minor 3rd, a diminished 5th, a minor 7th, and a minor 9th. Diminished 9th chords can be used to create dark and dissonant harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is an augmented 9th chord?

  1. A chord that has a major 3rd, an augmented 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  2. A chord that has a major 3rd, an augmented 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.

  3. A chord that has a minor 3rd, an augmented 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

  4. A chord that has a minor 3rd, an augmented 5th, a minor 7th, and a major 9th.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An augmented 9th chord is a chord that has a major 3rd, an augmented 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th. Augmented 9th chords can be used to create bright and cheerful harmonies.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of cadence?

  1. Perfect cadence

  2. Imperfect cadence

  3. Plagal cadence

  4. Deceptive cadence
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The perfect cadence is the most common type of cadence because it creates a strong sense of resolution. It consists of a dominant chord followed by a tonic chord, such as G major to C major.

Multiple choice

What is an imperfect cadence?

  1. A cadence that ends on a dominant chord

  2. A cadence that ends on a tonic chord

  3. A cadence that ends on a subdominant chord

  4. A cadence that ends on a mediant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An imperfect cadence creates a sense of tension because it does not resolve to a tonic chord. It consists of a dominant chord followed by a subdominant chord, such as G major to C minor.