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 scales is also known as the 'ascending melodic minor scale'?

  1. C Major

  2. A Minor

  3. G Major

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

E Phrygian Dominant is also known as the ascending melodic minor scale. It is a minor scale with a raised sixth and seventh note.

Multiple choice

Listen to the following audio clip and identify the scale being played.

  1. Eb Major

  2. C Minor

  3. F Major

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

The audio clip is in the key of Eb Major. It follows the pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half.

Multiple choice

Which of the following scales has a lowered third note?

  1. D Major

  2. B Minor

  3. G Major

  4. F# Phrygian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

F# Phrygian has a lowered third note, which is E. This is in contrast to the major scale, which has a major third note.

Multiple choice

Listen to the following audio clip and identify the scale being played.

  1. Ab Major

  2. F Minor

  3. C Major

  4. G# Minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The audio clip is in the key of Ab Major. It follows the pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half.

Multiple choice

Which of the following scales is also known as the 'harmonic minor scale'?

  1. G Major

  2. E Minor

  3. C Major

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

E Minor is also known as the harmonic minor scale. It is a minor scale with a raised seventh note.

Multiple choice

Listen to the following audio clip and identify the scale being played.

  1. Db Major

  2. Bb Minor

  3. F Major

  4. C# Minor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The audio clip is in the key of Db Major. It follows the pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half.

Multiple choice

Which of the following scales has a raised second note?

  1. C Major

  2. A Minor

  3. G Major

  4. F# Lydian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

F# Lydian has a raised second note, which is G#. This is in contrast to the major scale, which has a major second note.

Multiple choice

Listen to the following audio clip and identify the scale being played.

  1. Gb Major

  2. Eb Minor

  3. Bb Major

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

The audio clip is in the key of Gb Major. It follows the pattern of whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half.

Multiple choice

What is the primary organizing principle in serial harmony?

  1. The use of traditional chord progressions

  2. The repetition of a single pitch or chord

  3. The systematic ordering of a set of pitches

  4. The use of atonality and dissonance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Serial harmony is based on the idea of organizing a set of pitches in a specific order, and then using this order to generate harmonic structures.

Multiple choice

What is the basic unit of organization in serial harmony?

  1. The chord

  2. The scale

  3. The row

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

The row is the basic unit of organization in serial harmony. It is a set of twelve pitches arranged in a specific order.

Multiple choice

What is the process of generating harmonic structures from a row called?

  1. Permutation

  2. Inversion

  3. Retrograde

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

Permutation is the process of rearranging the pitches in a row to create new pitch sets.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the transposition of a row to a different pitch level?

  1. Permutation

  2. Inversion

  3. Retrograde

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

Transposition is the term for the transposition of a row to a different pitch level.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a chord that is derived from a row?

  1. Serial chord

  2. Tone row chord

  3. Twelve-tone chord

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

A serial chord is a chord that is derived from a row.

Multiple choice

What is the term for a harmonic progression that is based on a row?

  1. Serial progression

  2. Tone row progression

  3. Twelve-tone progression

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

A serial progression is a harmonic progression that is based on a row.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the use of serial harmony in conjunction with traditional tonal harmony?

  1. Serial tonality

  2. Twelve-tone tonality

  3. Atonal tonality

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

Serial tonality is the term for the use of serial harmony in conjunction with traditional tonal harmony.