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 pattern of whole and half steps in the D major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the D major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the fifth and seventh notes of the A major scale?

  1. Minor third

  2. Major third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between the fifth and seventh notes of the A major scale is a minor third, which consists of three half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in the A major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the A major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the first and fifth notes of the E major scale?

  1. Perfect fifth

  2. Augmented fifth

  3. Diminished fifth

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

The interval between the first and fifth notes of the E major scale is a perfect fifth, which consists of seven half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in the E major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the E major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the third and fifth notes of the B major scale?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

The interval between the third and fifth notes of the B major scale is a major third, which consists of four half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in the B major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the B major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the sixth and eighth notes of the F# major scale?

  1. Major second

  2. Minor second

  3. Major third

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

The interval between the sixth and eighth notes of the F# major scale is a major second, which consists of two half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in the F# major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the F# major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the second and fourth notes of the C# major scale?

  1. Major second

  2. Minor second

  3. Major third

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

The interval between the second and fourth notes of the C# major scale is a major second, which consists of two half steps.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in the C# major scale?

  1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H

  2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W

  3. H-W-W-W-H-W-W

  4. W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pattern of whole and half steps in the C# major scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where 'W' represents a whole step and 'H' represents a half step.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the first and second degrees of the harmonic minor scale?

  1. Major second

  2. Minor second

  3. Augmented second

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

The harmonic minor scale has an augmented second interval between the first and second degrees.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the melodic minor scale?

  1. Raised sixth and seventh degrees ascending

  2. Lowered sixth and seventh degrees descending

  3. Minor third interval between the first and second degrees

  4. Major seventh interval between the sixth and seventh degrees
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The melodic minor scale has a minor seventh interval between the sixth and seventh degrees, not a major seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the third mode of the harmonic minor scale?

  1. Phrygian

  2. Dorian

  3. Lydian

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

The third mode of the harmonic minor scale is the Phrygian mode.

Multiple choice

Which of the following scales has a diminished fifth interval between the fifth and sixth degrees?

  1. Harmonic minor

  2. Melodic minor

  3. Major scale

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

The harmonic minor scale has a diminished fifth interval between the fifth and sixth degrees.