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 interval between the tonic and the dominant in a minor scale?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fourth

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

In a minor scale, the interval between the tonic and the dominant is a perfect fifth.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a melodic minor scale ascending?

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

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

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

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

The pattern of whole and half steps in a melodic minor scale ascending is W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the tonic and the submediant in a major scale?

  1. Major sixth

  2. Minor sixth

  3. Perfect fourth

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

In a major scale, the interval between the tonic and the submediant is a minor sixth.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a melodic minor scale descending?

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

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

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

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

The pattern of whole and half steps in a melodic minor scale descending is W-W-H-W-H-W-W.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the tonic and the supertonic in a minor scale?

  1. Major second

  2. Minor second

  3. Perfect fourth

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

In a minor scale, the interval between the tonic and the supertonic is a minor second.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the tonic and the subtonic in a major scale?

  1. Major seventh

  2. Minor seventh

  3. Perfect fourth

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

In a major scale, the interval between the tonic and the subtonic is a minor seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a diminished scale?

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

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

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

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

The pattern of whole and half steps in a diminished scale is W-H-W-W-H-W-W.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of raising the seventh scale degree of a major scale by a half step?

  1. Sharpening

  2. Flattening

  3. Augmenting

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

Sharpening is the process of raising a note by a half step. In the case of a major scale, sharpening the seventh scale degree results in the harmonic minor scale.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of minor scale?

  1. Natural minor

  2. Harmonic minor

  3. Melodic minor

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

Major minor is not a type of minor scale. The three main types of minor scales are natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor.

Multiple choice

In a melodic minor scale, what is the relationship between the sixth and seventh scale degrees when ascending and descending?

  1. Whole step ascending, half step descending

  2. Half step ascending, whole step descending

  3. Whole step ascending and descending

  4. Half step ascending and descending
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In a melodic minor scale, the sixth and seventh scale degrees are a whole step apart when ascending and a half step apart when descending.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of lowering the third scale degree of a minor scale by a half step?

  1. Flattening

  2. Sharpening

  3. Augmenting

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

Flattening is the process of lowering a note by a half step. In the case of a minor scale, flattening the third scale degree results in the Dorian scale.

Multiple choice

Which of the following scales is not a relative minor of a major scale?

  1. A minor

  2. C minor

  3. E minor

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

G minor is not a relative minor of a major scale. The relative minor of a major scale is the minor scale that shares the same key signature.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe a scale that is constructed using the same notes as a major scale, but with the order of the notes rearranged?

  1. Mode

  2. Chord

  3. Arpeggio

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

A mode is a scale that is constructed using the same notes as a major scale, but with the order of the notes rearranged. The seven modes of the major scale are: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe a scale that is constructed using the same notes as a minor scale, but with the order of the notes rearranged?

  1. Mode

  2. Chord

  3. Arpeggio

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

A mode is a scale that is constructed using the same notes as a minor scale, but with the order of the notes rearranged. The seven modes of the minor scale are: Aeolian, Locrian, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe a scale that is constructed using a combination of notes from two or more different scales?

  1. Hybrid scale

  2. Chromatic scale

  3. Whole tone scale

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

A hybrid scale is a scale that is constructed using a combination of notes from two or more different scales. Hybrid scales can be used to create unique and interesting sounds that are not possible with traditional scales.