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Music Theory Quiz

Most of the questions should be straightforward for someone with a general knowledge of music theory, some others may be a bit more difficult. Enjoy :)

A multiple-choice quiz by S1LentK1LleR. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
S1LentK1LleR

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
352,824

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
281

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following scales does NOT contain both F# and G? Hint

C# blues scale

D major scale

B major scale

G harmonic minor scale

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Question 2 of 10

2. Three of these modal scales have the same notes in them. One does not. Which is the odd one out? Hint

Ab Ionian

Cb Aeolian

Bb Dorian

Eb Mixolydian

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following scales could be effectively used for improvisation over this chord progression: Cm|Bb|Dm|Eb|Cm|| Hint

C major scale

C dorian

C minor scale

C phrygian

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Question 4 of 10

4. A song is written in A and the last two bars are: |E|A||. What type of cadence is that ? Hint

Imperfect cadence

Perfect cadence

Plagal cadence

Interrupted cadence

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following is the chord spelling for Gbm7(b5)? Hint

Gb Bbb Db Fb

Gb Bb Db Fb

Gb Bb Dbb Fbb

Gb Bbb Dbb Fb

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following is the spelling of a blues scale ? Hint

1 b3 4 5 b7 8

1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8

1 2 3 5 6 8

1 b3 4 b5 5 b7 8

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many major scales are there that have both of the notes E# and F# ? Hint

None

one

two

three

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following chords should be on the fifth degree of F# harmonic minor scale? Hint

C#7

C#m7

Cm7

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Question 9 of 10

9. What does this notation mean: Dmaj7/A Hint

None of the above

That this D maj 7 chord should be played in 1st inversion

That this D maj 7 chord should be played in 2nd inversion

That this D maj 7 chord should be played in 3rd inversion

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many unique pitch combinations can result in an augmented triad? Hint

None of the above

twelve

four

eight

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following scales does NOT contain both F# and G?

Answer: B major scale

The B major scale has F# and G#.

The spellings of the scales:
D major scale - D E F# G A B C# D
G harmonic minor scale - G A Bb C D Eb F# G
C# blues scale - C# E F# G G# B C#
B major scale - B C# D# E F# G# A# B.

2. Three of these modal scales have the same notes in them. One does not. Which is the odd one out?

Answer: Cb Aeolian

All of those modal scales are actually the same scale with different root notes, except Cb Aeolian, which has not only Cb as root, instead of C that is in Ab Ionian, but different notes as well. The correct Aeolian scale would be F Aeolian.

3. Which of the following scales could be effectively used for improvisation over this chord progression: Cm|Bb|Dm|Eb|Cm||

Answer: C dorian

The C minor scale could be used effectively as well were it not for the D minor chord, which has an A in it, whereas C minor has Ab. We could avoid playing this note as well, but in order to be completely confident when playing, C Dorian would be the most suitable choice.

4. A song is written in A and the last two bars are: |E|A||. What type of cadence is that ?

Answer: Perfect cadence

The perfect cadence occurs between the V and I chords of a Phrase, just like this case.

5. Which of the following is the chord spelling for Gbm7(b5)?

Answer: Gb Bbb Dbb Fb

The Gbm7(b5) chord occurs at the 7th degree of the Abb major scale, therefore it utilizes its key signature. The Abb major scale is: Abb Bbb Cb Dbb Ebb Fb Gb Abb.

6. Which of the following is the spelling of a blues scale ?

Answer: 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7 8

A blues scale is actually a minor pentatonic scale with the addition of a b5 note, which is also known as the "blue note".

7. How many major scales are there that have both of the notes E# and F# ?

Answer: two

E# to F# is a minor second. There are only two minor second intervals in a major scale (III-IV and VII-I). So there can only be two major scales that have those two notes in them. The scales are F# major and C# major.

8. Which of the following chords should be on the fifth degree of F# harmonic minor scale?

Answer: C#7

The only difference between a harmonic and a natural minor scale is the 7th note, which also is the 3rd note of its 5th degree. What follows is that with a semitone higher on the 3rd note, the V suddenly becomes a dom7 chord, consequently C#m7 becomes C#7. Never forget the accidentals.

9. What does this notation mean: Dmaj7/A

Answer: That this D maj 7 chord should be played in 2nd inversion

The note on the right of the slash on a chord indicates the note that should have the lowest pitch when the chord is played. Because A is the 5th note, the chord should be played in 2nd inversion.

10. How many unique pitch combinations can result in an augmented triad?

Answer: four

An augmented triad has only major intervals. This means that when inverted, it gives the same kind of chord with different tonic! For example, the C augmented chord is C E G#. On first inversion, E G# C (which can be spelled E G# B#), it becomes the E augmented chord and on second inversion, G# C E (or G# B# D##), it becomes the G# augmented chord.

Source: Author S1LentK1LleR

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