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 diminished whole tone scale?

  1. A scale that consists of seven notes, with the second, fourth, and sixth scale degrees lowered by one half step

  2. A scale that consists of seven notes, with the first, third, and fifth scale degrees lowered by one half step

  3. A scale that consists of seven notes, with the third, fifth, and seventh scale degrees lowered by one half step

  4. A scale that consists of seven notes, with the fourth, sixth, and eighth scale degrees lowered by one half step
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The diminished whole tone scale is a scale that consists of seven notes, with the second, fourth, and sixth scale degrees lowered by one half step. It is a very dissonant scale, and it is not used very often in music. However, it can be used to create a variety of different sounds, from dissonant and tense to smooth and flowing.

Multiple choice

What is the fifth of C major?

  1. G major

  2. D major

  3. A major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths is a way of organizing the 12 major keys in a cycle of fifths. Starting from C major, the fifth of C major is G major.

Multiple choice

What is the relative minor of G major?

  1. E minor

  2. B minor

  3. D minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative minor of a major key is the minor key that shares the same key signature. The relative minor of G major is E minor.

Multiple choice

What is the circle of fifths?

  1. A cycle of 12 major keys

  2. A cycle of 12 minor keys

  3. A cycle of 12 major and minor keys
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths is a way of organizing the 12 major keys in a cycle of fifths. Starting from C major, the fifth of C major is G major, the fifth of G major is D major, and so on.

Multiple choice

What is the use of the circle of fifths?

  1. To find the relative minor of a major key

  2. To find the key signature of a major key

  3. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths can be used to find the relative minor of a major key and the key signature of a major key.

Multiple choice

What is the relative key of D major?

  1. B minor

  2. G major

  3. A minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative key of a major key is the minor key that shares the same key signature. The relative key of D major is B minor.

Multiple choice

What is the fifth of F major?

  1. C major

  2. B♭ major

  3. D major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths is a way of organizing the 12 major keys in a cycle of fifths. Starting from C major, the fifth of C major is G major, the fifth of G major is D major, the fifth of D major is A major, and so on. Therefore, the fifth of F major is C major.

Multiple choice

What is the relative minor of A♭ major?

  1. F minor

  2. D♭ minor

  3. E♭ minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative minor of a major key is the minor key that shares the same key signature. The relative minor of A♭ major is F minor.

Multiple choice

What is the circle of fifths progression?

  1. C major - G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F♯ major - C♯ major - G♯ major - D♯ major - A♯ major - E♯ major

  2. C major - G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F major - C major - G major - D major - A major - E major

  3. C major - G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F major - C major - G major - D major - A major - E♭ major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths progression is a sequence of chords that moves through the circle of fifths. The progression starts with the I chord (C major) and moves to the V chord (G major), then to the IV chord (D major), and so on.

Multiple choice

What is the use of the circle of fifths progression?

  1. To create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of music

  2. To create a sense of stability and resolution in a piece of music

  3. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths progression can be used to create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of music, or to create a sense of stability and resolution.

Multiple choice

What is the relative key of E♭ major?

  1. C minor

  2. G minor

  3. B♭ minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative minor of a major key is the minor key that shares the same key signature. The relative minor of E♭ major is C minor.

Multiple choice

What is the fifth of B♭ major?

  1. E♭ major

  2. F major

  3. D major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths is a way of organizing the 12 major keys in a cycle of fifths. Starting from C major, the fifth of C major is G major, the fifth of G major is D major, the fifth of D major is A major, and so on. Therefore, the fifth of B♭ major is E♭ major.

Multiple choice

What is the relative minor of D♭ major?

  1. B♭ minor

  2. A♭ minor

  3. C minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The relative minor of a major key is the minor key that shares the same key signature. The relative minor of D♭ major is B♭ minor.

Multiple choice

What is the circle of fifths progression in the key of G major?

  1. G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F♯ major - C♯ major - G♯ major - D♯ major - A♯ major - E♯ major - B♯ major

  2. G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F major - C major - G major - D major - A major - E major - B♭ major

  3. G major - D major - A major - E major - B major - F major - C major - G major - D major - A major - E♭ major - B♭ major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths progression in the key of G major starts with the I chord (G major) and moves to the V chord (D major), then to the IV chord (A major), and so on.

Multiple choice

What is the use of the circle of fifths progression in the key of G major?

  1. To create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of music in the key of G major

  2. To create a sense of stability and resolution in a piece of music in the key of G major

  3. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The circle of fifths progression in the key of G major can be used to create a sense of movement and tension in a piece of music, or to create a sense of stability and resolution.