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

Which of the following is a seventh chord?

  1. C-E-G-B♭

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A seventh chord is a chord that consists of a root, a third, a fifth, and a seventh. In this case, C is the root, E is the third, G is the fifth, and B♭ is the seventh.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a ninth chord?

  1. C-E-G-B♭-D

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A ninth chord is a chord that consists of a root, a third, a fifth, a seventh, and a ninth. In this case, C is the root, E is the third, G is the fifth, B♭ is the seventh, and D is the ninth.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a thirteenth chord?

  1. C-E-G-B♭-D-F

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A thirteenth chord is a chord that consists of a root, a third, a fifth, a seventh, a ninth, and a thirteenth. In this case, C is the root, E is the third, G is the fifth, B♭ is the seventh, D is the ninth, and F is the thirteenth.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a polychord?

  1. C-E-G over G-B-D

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A polychord is a chord that consists of two or more chords played simultaneously. In this case, C-E-G is played over G-B-D.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a cluster chord?

  1. C-D-E-F-G

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A cluster chord is a chord that consists of a group of notes that are close together on the chromatic scale. In this case, C-D-E-F-G is a cluster chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a quartal chord?

  1. C-F-B♭

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A quartal chord is a chord that consists of a root, a fourth, and a seventh. In this case, C is the root, F is the fourth, and B♭ is the seventh.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a modal chord?

  1. C-D-E-G

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A modal chord is a chord that is based on a scale other than the major or minor scale. In this case, C-D-E-G is a modal chord based on the Dorian scale.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a chromatic chord?

  1. C-E♭-G

  2. C-E-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A chromatic chord is a chord that contains one or more notes that are not in the key of the song. In this case, E♭ is not in the key of C major, so C-E♭-G is a chromatic chord.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a parallel chord?

  1. C-E-G

  2. C-E♭-G

  3. C-E-A♭

  4. C-E♭-A♭
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A parallel chord is a chord that is built on the same root as another chord, but with a different quality. In this case, C-E-G is a parallel chord to C-E♭-G.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the interval between two notes in counterpoint?

  1. Consonance

  2. Dissonance

  3. Melody

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

An interval is the distance between two notes, measured in half steps or whole steps.

Multiple choice

Which of the following intervals is considered a perfect consonance in counterpoint?

  1. Major third

  2. Minor third

  3. Perfect fifth

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

The perfect fifth is considered a perfect consonance due to its harmonious and stable sound.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the technique of adding a third voice to a two-voice counterpoint?

  1. Triplum

  2. Quadruplum

  3. Quintuplum

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

Triplum is the term used to describe the addition of a third voice to a two-voice counterpoint.

Multiple choice

Which of the following terms refers to the repetition of a melody at a different pitch level?

  1. Transposition

  2. Inversion

  3. Retrograde

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

Transposition is the process of moving a melody to a different pitch level while maintaining its melodic contour.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the technique of reversing the order of the notes in a melody?

  1. Retrograde

  2. Inversion

  3. Transposition

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

Retrograde is the technique of playing a melody backwards, starting from the last note and ending with the first.

Multiple choice

Which of the following terms refers to the technique of increasing the duration of the notes in a melody?

  1. Augmentation

  2. Diminution

  3. Transposition

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

Augmentation is the technique of increasing the duration of the notes in a melody, while diminution is the opposite.