Social Science

Music Theory

1,845 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 scale that begins on the note E and contains the notes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#?

  1. Major scale

  2. Minor scale

  3. Pentatonic scale

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

The scale that begins on E and contains the notes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D# is a major scale because it contains the intervals of a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, and a major seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the notes C# and E?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between C# and E is a major third because it consists of four half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the scale that begins on the note F# and contains the notes F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#?

  1. Major scale

  2. Minor scale

  3. Pentatonic scale

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

The scale that begins on F# and contains the notes F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E# is a major scale because it contains the intervals of a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, and a major seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the notes D# and F#?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between D# and F# is a perfect fourth because it consists of five half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the scale that begins on the note G# and contains the notes G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, and F##?

  1. Major scale

  2. Minor scale

  3. Pentatonic scale

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

The scale that begins on G# and contains the notes G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, and F## is a major scale because it contains the intervals of a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, and a major seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the notes A# and C##?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between A# and C## is a minor third because it consists of three half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the scale that begins on the note B# and contains the notes B#, C##, D##, E#, F##, G##, and A##?

  1. Major scale

  2. Minor scale

  3. Pentatonic scale

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

The scale that begins on B# and contains the notes B#, C##, D##, E#, F##, G##, and A## is a major scale because it contains the intervals of a major second, a major third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a major sixth, and a major seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the notes C## and E#?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between C## and E# is a major third because it consists of four half steps.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not an element of melody?

  1. Pitch

  2. Rhythm

  3. Dynamics

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

Timbre is not an element of melody because it is a property of sound that is not related to the pitch, rhythm, or dynamics of the sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of melody?

  1. Diatonic

  2. Chromatic

  3. Pentatonic

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

Diatonic is not a type of melody, but rather a scale that is used to create melodies.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of harmony?

  1. Consonance

  2. Dissonance

  3. Chromatic harmony

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

Chromatic harmony is not a type of harmony, but rather a technique that uses chromatic notes to create tension and interest in the music.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the progression of chords that creates a sense of resolution at the end of a piece of music?

  1. Cadence

  2. Progression

  3. Sequence

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

A cadence is the progression of chords that creates a sense of resolution at the end of a piece of music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of cadence?

  1. Perfect cadence

  2. Imperfect cadence

  3. Plagal cadence

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

A plagal cadence is not a type of cadence, but rather a type of chord progression that is often used to create a sense of rest or resolution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a factor that affects the relationship between melody and harmony?

  1. The key of the piece

  2. The tempo of the piece

  3. The instrumentation of the piece

  4. The dynamics of the piece
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The tempo of the piece does not affect the relationship between melody and harmony.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the process of creating a melody that is harmonically compatible with a given chord progression?

  1. Harmonization

  2. Counterpoint

  3. Melody writing

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

Harmonization is the process of creating a melody that is harmonically compatible with a given chord progression.