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 a plagal cadence?

  1. A cadence that ends on a tonic chord

  2. A cadence that ends on a dominant 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

A plagal cadence creates a sense of rest or closure. It consists of a subdominant chord followed by a tonic chord, such as C minor to G major.

Multiple choice

What is a deceptive cadence?

  1. A cadence that ends on a tonic chord

  2. A cadence that ends on a dominant chord

  3. A cadence that ends on a subdominant chord

  4. A cadence that ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A deceptive cadence creates a sense of surprise because it does not resolve to a tonic, dominant, or subdominant chord. It consists of a dominant chord followed by a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant, such as G major to D minor.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a perfect cadence?

  1. G major to C major

  2. G major to C minor

  3. C minor to G major

  4. C minor to G minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A perfect cadence consists of a dominant chord followed by a tonic chord. In this case, G major is the dominant chord and C major is the tonic chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an imperfect cadence?

  1. G major to C major

  2. G major to C minor

  3. C minor to G major

  4. C minor to G minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

An imperfect cadence consists of a dominant chord followed by a subdominant chord. In this case, G major is the dominant chord and C minor is the subdominant chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a plagal cadence?

  1. G major to C major

  2. G major to C minor

  3. C minor to G major

  4. C minor to G minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A plagal cadence consists of a subdominant chord followed by a tonic chord. In this case, C minor is the subdominant chord and G major is the tonic chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a deceptive cadence?

  1. G major to C major

  2. G major to C minor

  3. C minor to G major

  4. C minor to G minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

A deceptive cadence consists of a dominant chord followed by a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant. In this case, G major is the dominant chord and D minor is the chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a perfect cadence and an imperfect cadence?

  1. A perfect cadence ends on a tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on a dominant chord

  2. A perfect cadence ends on a dominant chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on a tonic chord

  3. A perfect cadence ends on a tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on a subdominant chord

  4. A perfect cadence ends on a dominant chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on a mediant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A perfect cadence consists of a dominant chord followed by a tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence consists of a dominant chord followed by a subdominant chord.

Multiple choice

How can cadences be used to create a sense of tension and release in music?

  1. By using perfect cadences to create a sense of resolution

  2. By using imperfect cadences to create a sense of tension

  3. By using deceptive cadences to create a sense of surprise

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Cadences can be used to create a sense of tension and release in music by using perfect cadences to create a sense of resolution, imperfect cadences to create a sense of tension, and deceptive cadences to create a sense of surprise.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the ability to accurately identify the pitch of a musical note without any reference tone?

  1. Absolute Pitch

  2. Relative Pitch

  3. Timbre Perception

  4. Musical Imagery
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Absolute pitch, also known as perfect pitch, is the ability to identify and produce musical notes without the need for a reference tone.

Multiple choice

What is the term used for the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes?

  1. Slurring

  2. Tonguing

  3. Vibrato

  4. Trill
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Trill is the term used for the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.

Multiple choice

What is the term used for the gradual change in pitch while playing a note?

  1. Slurring

  2. Tonguing

  3. Vibrato

  4. Trill
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Vibrato is the term used for the gradual change in pitch while playing a note.

Multiple choice

What is the term used for the ornamentation technique involving the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes?

  1. Trill

  2. Mordent

  3. Turn

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Trill is the term used for the ornamentation technique involving the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, adding embellishment and expressiveness to the musical line.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient musical scale that is still used in some traditional music cultures today?

  1. Pentatonic scale

  2. Chromatic scale

  3. Diatonic scale

  4. Whole tone scale
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pentatonic scale, consisting of five notes per octave, is one of the oldest musical scales known to humanity. It is still used in traditional music from various cultures around the world.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe adding a note to a chord that is not part of the original chord?

  1. Chord extension

  2. Chord alteration

  3. Chord substitution

  4. Chord inversion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chord extensions are notes added to a chord that are not part of the basic triad or seventh chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a chord embellishment that involves changing one of the notes in the chord?

  1. Suspensions

  2. Passing tones

  3. Appoggiaturas

  4. Chord alterations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chord alterations involve changing one or more notes in a chord to create a different sound.