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 Neapolitan chord's relationship to the subdominant chord in a minor key?

  1. It is a parallel chord

  2. It is a relative chord

  3. It is a dominant chord

  4. It is a subdominant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Neapolitan chord in a minor key is a relative chord of the subdominant chord, meaning that they share the same root note.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a Neapolitan chord in C minor?

  1. C minor

  2. D major

  3. Eb minor

  4. F major
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Neapolitan chord in C minor is D major, which is built on the lowered second scale degree of C minor.

Multiple choice

What is the Neapolitan chord's relationship to the mediant chord in a minor key?

  1. It is a parallel chord

  2. It is a relative chord

  3. It is a dominant chord

  4. It is a subdominant chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Neapolitan chord in a minor key is a parallel chord of the mediant chord, meaning that they share the same root note.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the part of a string instrument that is pressed down by the fingers to change the pitch of the strings?

  1. Bridge

  2. Neck

  3. Fingerboard

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

The fingerboard is the part of a string instrument that is pressed down by the fingers to change the pitch of the strings.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the note in a chord that is not part of the triad?

  1. Extension

  2. Alteration

  3. Color Tone

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

A color tone is a note that is added to a chord to add color and interest.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a common color tone in major chords?

  1. Major 7th

  2. Minor 7th

  3. Major 6th

  4. Minor 6th
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The minor 7th is not a common color tone in major chords because it creates a dissonant interval with the major 3rd.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that contains a major 7th and a minor 6th?

  1. Major 7th chord

  2. Minor 7th chord

  3. Dominant 7th chord

  4. Half-diminished 7th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A half-diminished 7th chord contains a major 7th and a minor 6th.

Multiple choice

Which of the following chords does not contain a color tone?

  1. C major 7

  2. G minor 7

  3. D dominant 7

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

A minor chord does not contain a color tone because it is a triad, which consists of only three notes.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that contains a major 7th, a minor 6th, and a diminished 5th?

  1. Major 7th chord

  2. Minor 7th chord

  3. Dominant 7th chord

  4. Diminished 7th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A diminished 7th chord contains a major 7th, a minor 6th, and a diminished 5th.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common color tone in minor chords?

  1. Major 7th

  2. Minor 7th

  3. Major 6th

  4. Minor 6th
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The minor 7th is a common color tone in minor chords because it creates a dissonant interval with the major 3rd.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that contains a major 7th and a major 6th?

  1. Major 7th chord

  2. Minor 7th chord

  3. Dominant 7th chord

  4. Major 6th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A major 6th chord contains a major 7th and a major 6th.

Multiple choice

Which of the following chords does not contain a color tone?

  1. C major 7

  2. G minor 7

  3. D dominant 7

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

E major chord does not contain a color tone because it is a triad, which consists of only three notes.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that contains a minor 7th and a major 6th?

  1. Major 7th chord

  2. Minor 7th chord

  3. Dominant 7th chord

  4. Minor 6th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A minor 6th chord contains a minor 7th and a major 6th.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common color tone in dominant 7th chords?

  1. Major 7th

  2. Minor 7th

  3. Major 6th

  4. Minor 6th
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The major 7th is a common color tone in dominant 7th chords because it creates a dissonant interval with the minor 7th.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that contains a major 7th, a minor 6th, and a diminished 5th?

  1. Major 7th chord

  2. Minor 7th chord

  3. Dominant 7th chord

  4. Half-diminished 7th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A half-diminished 7th chord contains a major 7th, a minor 6th, and a diminished 5th.