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 a root position chord?

  1. A chord that has the root in the bass

  2. A chord that has the third in the bass

  3. A chord that has the fifth in the bass

  4. A chord that has the seventh in the bass
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A root position chord is a chord that has the root in the bass. This is the most common type of chord inversion.

Multiple choice

What is a first inversion chord?

  1. A chord that has the root in the bass

  2. A chord that has the third in the bass

  3. A chord that has the fifth in the bass

  4. A chord that has the seventh in the bass
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A first inversion chord is a chord that has the third in the bass. This type of inversion is often used to create a more interesting and varied sound.

Multiple choice

What is a second inversion chord?

  1. A chord that has the root in the bass

  2. A chord that has the third in the bass

  3. A chord that has the fifth in the bass

  4. A chord that has the seventh in the bass
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A second inversion chord is a chord that has the fifth in the bass. This type of inversion is often used to create a more dissonant and unstable sound.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of cadence?

  1. perfect cadence

  2. imperfect cadence

  3. plagal cadence

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

A perfect cadence is a cadence that ends on the tonic chord, which is the first chord in the key. It is considered to be the most stable and final-sounding cadence.

Multiple choice

What is an imperfect cadence?

  1. a cadence that ends on the dominant chord

  2. a cadence that ends on the subdominant chord

  3. a cadence that ends on the tonic chord

  4. a cadence that ends on the mediant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An imperfect cadence is a cadence that ends on the dominant chord, which is the fifth chord in the key. It is considered to be less stable and final-sounding than a perfect cadence.

Multiple choice

What is a plagal cadence?

  1. a cadence that ends on the subdominant chord

  2. a cadence that ends on the dominant chord

  3. a cadence that ends on the tonic chord

  4. a cadence that ends on the mediant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A plagal cadence is a cadence that ends on the subdominant chord, which is the fourth chord in the key. It is considered to be more stable and final-sounding than an imperfect cadence, but less so than a perfect cadence.

Multiple choice

What is a deceptive cadence?

  1. a cadence that ends on the tonic chord

  2. a cadence that ends on the dominant chord

  3. a cadence that ends on the subdominant chord

  4. a cadence that ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A deceptive cadence is a cadence that ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant. It is often used to create a sense of surprise or tension.

Multiple choice

What is the function of a cadence?

  1. to create a sense of resolution or finality

  2. to create a sense of tension and release

  3. to mark the end of a musical section or piece

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

Cadences can serve a variety of functions, including creating a sense of resolution or finality, creating a sense of tension and release, and marking the end of a musical section or piece.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a perfect cadence?

  1. C major - G major - C major

  2. G major - D major - G major

  3. F major - C major - G major

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

A perfect cadence is a cadence that ends on the tonic chord, which is the first chord in the key. In this case, the tonic chord is C major, so the perfect cadence is C major - G major - C major.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an imperfect cadence?

  1. G major - D major - G major

  2. F major - C major - G major

  3. D major - A major - D major

  4. C major - G major - C major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An imperfect cadence is a cadence that ends on the dominant chord, which is the fifth chord in the key. In this case, the dominant chord is D major, so the imperfect cadence is G major - D major - G major.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a plagal cadence?

  1. F major - C major - G major

  2. D major - A major - D major

  3. C major - G major - C major

  4. G major - D major - G major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A plagal cadence is a cadence that ends on the subdominant chord, which is the fourth chord in the key. In this case, the subdominant chord is F major, so the plagal cadence is F major - C major - G major.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a deceptive cadence?

  1. C major - G major - C major

  2. G major - D major - G major

  3. F major - C major - D minor

  4. D major - A major - D major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A deceptive cadence is a cadence that ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant. In this case, the cadence ends on D minor, which is not the tonic, dominant, or subdominant chord in the key of F major.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a deceptive cadence and a perfect cadence?

  1. a deceptive cadence ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant, while a perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord

  2. a deceptive cadence is more stable and final-sounding than a perfect cadence

  3. both a and b

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

A deceptive cadence ends on a chord other than the tonic, dominant, or subdominant, while a perfect cadence ends on the tonic chord.

Multiple choice

What does the chord symbol C represent?

  1. C major triad

  2. C minor triad

  3. C augmented triad

  4. C diminished triad
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The chord symbol C represents a C major triad, which consists of the notes C, E, and G.

Multiple choice

What is the difference between a major and a minor chord?

  1. Major chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  2. Minor chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  3. Major chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth

  4. Minor chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The difference between a major and a minor chord is in the interval between the root and the third. In a major chord, the interval is a major third (4 semitones), while in a minor chord, the interval is a minor third (3 semitones).