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

How can you find the relative major of a minor scale?

  1. Lower the third degree by one half step.

  2. Raise the third degree by one half step.

  3. Lower the fifth degree by one half step.

  4. Raise the fifth degree by one half step.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

To find the relative major of a minor scale, you can raise the third degree by one half step.

Multiple choice

Which scale degree is known as the leading tone in a major scale?

  1. Seventh degree

  2. Sixth degree

  3. Fifth degree

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

The leading tone in a major scale is the seventh degree.

Multiple choice

Which scale degree is known as the subdominant in a major scale?

  1. Fourth degree

  2. Fifth degree

  3. Sixth degree

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

The subdominant in a major scale is the fourth degree.

Multiple choice

Which scale degree is known as the dominant in a major scale?

  1. Fifth degree

  2. Fourth degree

  3. Sixth degree

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

The dominant in a major scale is the fifth degree.

Multiple choice

Which scale degree is known as the mediant in a major scale?

  1. Third degree

  2. Fourth degree

  3. Fifth degree

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

The mediant in a major scale is the third degree.

Multiple choice

In jazz harmony, what is the most common type of chord used?

  1. Major chords

  2. Minor chords

  3. Dominant chords

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

Dominant chords, such as the V7 chord, are widely used in jazz harmony to create tension and resolve to tonic chords.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord progression that moves from a tonic chord to a dominant chord and then back to the tonic?

  1. Cadence

  2. Progression

  3. Sequence

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

A cadence is a chord progression that provides a sense of resolution or closure in jazz music.

Multiple choice

In jazz harmony, what is the purpose of a ii-V-I progression?

  1. To create tension and release

  2. To modulate to a new key

  3. To introduce a new melody

  4. To end a piece of music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The ii-V-I progression is a common chord progression in jazz that creates a sense of tension and release, often leading to a resolution on the tonic chord.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the process of improvising over a chord progression in jazz?

  1. Comping

  2. Soloing

  3. Arranging

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

Soloing refers to the act of improvising a melody or solo over a chord progression in jazz.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of jazz chord?

  1. Major 7th chords

  2. Minor 7th chords

  3. Dominant 7th chords

  4. Suspended chords
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Suspended chords are not as commonly used in jazz harmony as major 7th, minor 7th, and dominant 7th chords.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that is built on the lowered 7th scale degree?

  1. Major chord

  2. Minor chord

  3. Dominant chord

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

A half-diminished chord is built on the lowered 7th scale degree and has a characteristic diminished sound.

Multiple choice

In jazz harmony, what is the term for a chord that is built on the raised 5th scale degree?

  1. Augmented chord

  2. Diminished chord

  3. Suspended chord

  4. Major 7th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An augmented chord is built on the raised 5th scale degree and has a characteristic sharp or augmented sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of jazz scale?

  1. Major scale

  2. Minor scale

  3. Bebop scale

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

The major scale is not as commonly used in jazz improvisation as the minor scale, Bebop scale, and Pentatonic scale.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that is built on the 6th scale degree?

  1. Major 6th chord

  2. Minor 6th chord

  3. Dominant 6th chord

  4. Half-diminished 6th chord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A major 6th chord is built on the 6th scale degree and has a characteristic bright and open sound.

Multiple choice

In jazz harmony, what is the term for a chord that is built on the lowered 3rd scale degree?

  1. Minor chord

  2. Major chord

  3. Diminished chord

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

A minor chord is built on the lowered 3rd scale degree and has a characteristic dark and somber sound.