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 root and the sixth of a major sixth chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major sixth

  4. minor sixth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The interval between the root and the sixth of a major sixth chord is a major sixth.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the seventh of a half-diminished seventh chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major seventh

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

The interval between the root and the seventh of a half-diminished seventh chord is a minor seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the ninth of a fully diminished ninth chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major ninth

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

The interval between the root and the ninth of a fully diminished ninth chord is a minor ninth.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the eleventh of an augmented eleventh chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major eleventh

  4. minor eleventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The interval between the root and the eleventh of an augmented eleventh chord is a major eleventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the thirteenth of a dominant thirteenth chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major thirteenth

  4. minor thirteenth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The interval between the root and the thirteenth of a dominant thirteenth chord is a major thirteenth.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the sixth of a major sixth chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major sixth

  4. minor sixth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The interval between the root and the sixth of a major sixth chord is a major sixth.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the seventh of a half-diminished seventh chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major seventh

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

The interval between the root and the seventh of a half-diminished seventh chord is a minor seventh.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the ninth of a fully diminished ninth chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major ninth

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

The interval between the root and the ninth of a fully diminished ninth chord is a minor ninth.

Multiple choice

What is the interval between the root and the eleventh of an augmented eleventh chord?

  1. major second

  2. minor second

  3. major eleventh

  4. minor eleventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The interval between the root and the eleventh of an augmented eleventh chord is a major eleventh.

Multiple choice

What is an arpeggio?

  1. A broken chord, played note by note

  2. A solid chord, played all at once

  3. A melody that is played over a chord

  4. A rhythmic pattern that is played over a chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An arpeggio is a broken chord, played note by note, rather than as a solid unit.

Multiple choice

What are some of the most common types of arpeggios?

  1. Major arpeggios

  2. Minor arpeggios

  3. Dominant arpeggios

  4. Diminished arpeggios

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The most common types of arpeggios are major arpeggios, minor arpeggios, dominant arpeggios, and diminished arpeggios.

Multiple choice

How do you build a major arpeggio?

  1. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh

  2. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh

  3. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, augmented fifth, and major seventh

  4. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, augmented fifth, and major seventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To build a major arpeggio, start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.

Multiple choice

How do you build a minor arpeggio?

  1. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh

  2. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh

  3. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh

  4. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To build a minor arpeggio, start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Multiple choice

How do you build a dominant arpeggio?

  1. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh

  2. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh

  3. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh

  4. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, augmented fifth, and major seventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To build a dominant arpeggio, start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Multiple choice

How do you build a diminished arpeggio?

  1. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and diminished seventh

  2. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, perfect fifth, and diminished seventh

  3. Start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, augmented fifth, and diminished seventh

  4. Start with the root note of the chord and add the major third, augmented fifth, and diminished seventh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To build a diminished arpeggio, start with the root note of the chord and add the minor third, perfect fifth, and diminished seventh.