BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Aural Skills and Dictation 5

Question 1

You hear a progression I–V–vi. The move from V to vi is called a:

Accepted Answer

Deceptive cadence

Answer

A deceptive cadence occurs when V resolves to vi (or another chord) instead of the expected I, 'deceiving' the listener.

Question 2

In melodic dictation, a melody uses only whole tones (every adjacent pitch is a whole step apart). This suggests the melody is drawn from a:

Accepted Answer

Whole-tone scale

Answer

The whole-tone scale consists entirely of whole-step intervals, producing the distinctive, floating sound associated with Impressionist composers.

Question 3

Scale degree 7 in a harmonic minor scale differs from natural minor because it is:

Accepted Answer

Raised a half step

Answer

Harmonic minor raises scale degree 7 by a half step compared to natural minor, creating a leading tone that pulls toward tonic.

Question 4

In dictation, you must identify whether a meter is simple or compound. The clearest single cue is:

Accepted Answer

Whether the beat divides into two or three equal parts

Answer

The defining difference between simple and compound meter is binary (÷2) versus ternary (÷3) beat subdivision.

Question 5

A passage you are transcribing modulates from C major to G major. The pivot chord most likely functions as IV in C major and __ in G major:

Accepted Answer

I

Answer

The chord F–A–C is IV in C major and bVII in G major — but the more common pivot uses chords shared cleanly; here C–E–G is I in C and IV in G.

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test