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 chord symbol for a B diminished chord?

  1. B

  2. Bdim

  3. B-

  4. B7
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The chord symbol for a diminished chord is the letter name of the root followed by a "dim" or "o" symbol. In this case, the root is B, so the chord symbol is Bdim.

Multiple choice

What is the chord progression I-IV-V in the key of C major?

  1. C-F-G

  2. C-G-Am

  3. C-Am-F

  4. C-F-Am
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chord progression I-IV-V in the key of C major consists of the chords C major, F major, and G major. These chords are the first, fourth, and fifth chords in the C major scale.

Multiple choice

What is the chord progression ii-V-I in the key of G major?

  1. Am-D-G

  2. Bm-E-G

  3. Dm-G-C

  4. Em-A-D
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chord progression ii-V-I in the key of G major consists of the chords Am, D, and G. These chords are the second, fifth, and first chords in the G major scale.

Multiple choice

What is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in the key of D minor?

  1. Bm-Dm-G-D

  2. Em-Am-D-G

  3. F#m-Bm-E-A

  4. Gm-Cm-F-Bb
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chord progression vi-ii-V-I in the key of D minor consists of the chords Bm, Dm, G, and D. These chords are the sixth, second, fifth, and first chords in the D minor scale.

Multiple choice

What is the chord progression I-vi-IV-V in the key of A major?

  1. A-F#m-D-E

  2. A-Dm-G-C

  3. A-E-F#m-D

  4. A-F-Dm-E
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chord progression I-vi-IV-V in the key of A major consists of the chords A major, F# minor, D major, and E major. These chords are the first, sixth, fourth, and fifth chords in the A major scale.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the technique used to produce different pitches on a brass instrument?

  1. Vibrato

  2. Harmonics

  3. Lip Slurs

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

Lip slurs are a technique used on brass instruments to produce different pitches by moving the player's lips on the mouthpiece.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the technique used to produce a series of rapidly ascending or descending notes on a brass instrument?

  1. Vibrato

  2. Harmonics

  3. Lip Slurs

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

Arpeggio is a technique used on brass instruments to produce a series of rapidly ascending or descending notes.

Multiple choice

What is an appoggiatura?

  1. A non-harmonic tone that resolves to a harmonic tone

  2. A harmonic tone that resolves to a non-harmonic tone

  3. A grace note that is played before a harmonic tone

  4. A turn that is played after a harmonic tone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An appoggiatura is a non-harmonic tone that is played before a harmonic tone and resolves to it.

Multiple choice

How are appoggiaturas notated?

  1. With a small note head

  2. With a slash through the stem

  3. With a dot above the note head

  4. With a slur from the appoggiatura to the harmonic tone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Appoggiaturas are notated with a small note head.

Multiple choice

In ancient China, the pentatonic scale, consisting of five notes, was believed to possess what special property?

  1. Healing powers

  2. Spiritual significance

  3. Mathematical harmony

  4. Emotional resonance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In ancient China, the pentatonic scale was believed to possess spiritual significance and was associated with the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Multiple choice

What is the interval pattern of the chromatic scale?

  1. Half step, whole step, half step, whole step, ...

  2. Whole step, half step, whole step, half step, ...

  3. Whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, ...

  4. Half step, half step, whole step, half step, ...
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chromatic scale is a 12-note scale that includes all 12 pitches within an octave. The interval pattern of the chromatic scale is half step, whole step, half step, whole step, ... and so on.

Multiple choice

What is the interval pattern of the octatonic scale?

  1. Whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step

  2. Half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step

  3. Whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step

  4. Half step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The octatonic scale is an 8-note scale that includes all the pitches of the chromatic scale except for two adjacent notes. The interval pattern of the octatonic scale is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between the chromatic scale and the octatonic scale?

  1. The chromatic scale has 12 notes, while the octatonic scale has 8 notes.

  2. The chromatic scale includes all 12 pitches within an octave, while the octatonic scale excludes two adjacent notes.

  3. The chromatic scale has a half step interval between each note, while the octatonic scale has a whole step interval between each note.

  4. The chromatic scale is used in classical music, while the octatonic scale is used in jazz and popular music.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The chromatic scale includes all 12 pitches within an octave, while the octatonic scale excludes two adjacent notes. This difference in the number of notes gives the two scales different interval patterns and different uses in music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a chromatic scale?

  1. C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B

  2. C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

  3. C, D, E, F#, G, A, B, C

  4. C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chromatic scale is a 12-note scale that includes all 12 pitches within an octave. The example given in the question, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, is a chromatic scale because it includes all 12 pitches within the octave from C to B.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an octatonic scale?

  1. C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C

  2. C, D, E, F#, G, A, B, C

  3. C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G

  4. C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C#
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The octatonic scale is an 8-note scale that includes all the pitches of the chromatic scale except for two adjacent notes. The example given in the question, C, D, E, F#, G, A, B♭, C, is an octatonic scale because it includes all the pitches of the chromatic scale except for F and G.