BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Aural Skills and Sight-Singing 4

Question 1

A student is asked to sight-sing a melody using scale degree numbers. The melody begins on scale degree 5 and moves stepwise down to scale degree 1. In C major, what pitches would be sung?

Accepted Answer

G–F–E–D–C

Answer

In C major, scale degree 5 is G, and stepwise descent through 4–3–2–1 gives G–F–E–D–C.

Question 2

A student hears a four-voice chorale and must identify the bass motion between two chords. The bass moves from C up to G. What type of bass motion is this?

Accepted Answer

Ascending fifth

Answer

Moving from C up to G is an ascending perfect fifth, which is also equivalent to a descending fourth in the opposite direction.

Question 3

In compound meter, the beat is divided into three equal parts. If a student hears a dotted half note as one beat, what is the meter?

Accepted Answer

6/4

Answer

In 6/4 meter, the dotted half note serves as the beat unit, with each beat dividing into three quarter notes.

Question 4

A student must identify a secondary dominant chord by ear. They hear a major chord that doesn't belong to the key and resolves up a fourth (or down a fifth). This chord functions as what?

Accepted Answer

A secondary dominant (V/x)

Answer

A secondary dominant is a major or dominant seventh chord that temporarily tonicizes a scale degree other than tonic by resolving up a fourth or down a fifth.

Question 5

When dictating a four-bar melody, a student hears the tonic pitch establish at the beginning. Which strategy is most effective for retaining the melody before notating?

Accepted Answer

Identify the contour, cadence, and key motives first, then notate

Answer

Experienced musicians first identify the overall shape, cadence points, and recurring motives before notating, improving accuracy and retention.

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Aural Skills and Sight-Singing 4