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 function of the subdominant chord in a major key?

  1. It is the home chord.

  2. It is the dominant chord.

  3. It is the subdominant chord.

  4. It is the mediant chord.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The subdominant chord in a major key is the subdominant chord. It is the chord that provides a sense of stability and leads to the dominant chord.

Multiple choice

What is the function of the mediant chord in a major key?

  1. It is the home chord.

  2. It is the dominant chord.

  3. It is the subdominant chord.

  4. It is the mediant chord.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The mediant chord in a major key is the mediant chord. It is the chord that provides a sense of color and interest.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of cadence in popular music?

  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 in popular music because it provides a strong sense of resolution.

Multiple choice

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

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

  2. A perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on the subdominant chord.

  3. A perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on the mediant chord.

  4. A perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on the leading tone chord.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord, while an imperfect cadence ends on the dominant chord. The perfect cadence is more conclusive than the imperfect cadence.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of chord inversion in popular music?

  1. Root position

  2. First inversion

  3. Second inversion

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

Root position is the most common type of chord inversion in popular music because it is the easiest to play and sing.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a root position chord and a first inversion chord?

  1. A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the third note in the bass.

  2. A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass.

  3. A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the seventh note in the bass.

  4. A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the ninth note in the bass.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A root position chord has the root note in the bass, while a first inversion chord has the third note in the bass. The first inversion chord is often used to add color and interest to a chord progression.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a first inversion chord and a second inversion chord?

  1. A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass.

  2. A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the seventh note in the bass.

  3. A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the ninth note in the bass.

  4. A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the eleventh note in the bass.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A first inversion chord has the third note in the bass, while a second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass. The second inversion chord is often used to add tension and drama to a chord progression.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a second inversion chord and a third inversion chord?

  1. A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the seventh note in the bass.

  2. A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the ninth note in the bass.

  3. A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the eleventh note in the bass.

  4. A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the thirteenth note in the bass.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A second inversion chord has the fifth note in the bass, while a third inversion chord has the seventh note in the bass. The third inversion chord is often used to add color and interest to a chord progression.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of non-chord tone in popular music?

  1. Passing tone

  2. Neighboring tone

  3. Appoggiatura

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

Passing tones are the most common type of non-chord tone in popular music because they are easy to play and sing.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a passing tone and a neighboring tone?

  1. A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a non-chord tone.

  2. A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a rest.

  3. A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a scale tone.

  4. A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a chromatic tone.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A passing tone moves between two chord tones, while a neighboring tone moves between a chord tone and a non-chord tone. Passing tones are usually played quickly, while neighboring tones are usually played more slowly.

Multiple choice

What is a polychord?

  1. A chord that consists of two or more triads stacked on top of each other.

  2. A chord that consists of two or more seventh chords stacked on top of each other.

  3. A chord that consists of two or more ninth chords stacked on top of each other.

  4. A chord that consists of two or more thirteenth chords stacked on top of each other.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A polychord is a chord that consists of two or more triads stacked on top of each other. The triads can be major, minor, augmented, or diminished.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of polychord?

  1. A major-minor seventh chord

  2. A dominant seventh chord

  3. A minor seventh chord

  4. A major seventh chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The most common type of polychord is a major-minor seventh chord. This chord is created by stacking a major triad on top of a minor seventh chord.

Multiple choice

What is the function of a polychord?

  1. To create tension and release

  2. To add color and richness to a chord progression

  3. To create a sense of movement

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

Polychords can be used to create tension and release, to add color and richness to a chord progression, and to create a sense of movement. They are a powerful tool that can be used to create a variety of musical effects.

Multiple choice

How are polychords notated?

  1. By writing the two chords separately, one above the other

  2. By writing the two chords together, with a slash between them

  3. By writing the two chords together, with a plus sign between them

  4. By writing the two chords together, with a hyphen between them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Polychords are notated by writing the two chords together, with a slash between them. For example, a C major triad over a G minor seventh chord would be notated as C/Gm.

Multiple choice

What is an example of a polychord that is used in popular music?

  1. The opening chord of the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life"

  2. The chorus chord of the Rolling Stones' song "Satisfaction"

  3. The bridge chord of the Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven"

  4. The outro chord of the Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The opening chord of the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life" is a C major triad over a G minor seventh chord. This polychord creates a sense of tension and release that is characteristic of the song.