BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation 2

Question 1

In a melodic dictation exercise, you hear a phrase that moves stepwise down from scale degree 5 to scale degree 1. Which term describes this type of melodic motion?

Accepted Answer

Conjunct motion

Answer

Conjunct motion refers to melodic movement by step (seconds), while disjunct motion involves leaps (thirds or larger).

Question 2

You are transcribing a melody and hear the pattern: quarter note, two eighth notes, quarter note, half note. What is the total duration of this pattern in 4/4 meter?

Accepted Answer

4 beats

Answer

Quarter (1) + two eighths (1) + quarter (1) + half (2) = 5 beats — but in 4/4, this spans exactly one full measure plus one beat, so the pattern totals 5 beats.

Question 3

During dictation, you identify a leap from the tonic up to the dominant (scale degrees 1 to 5). This interval is a:

Accepted Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Scale degrees 1 to 5 span five letter names and form a perfect fifth interval.

Question 4

A rhythmic dictation passage in 3/4 uses a hemiola pattern. How does hemiola affect the perceived meter?

Accepted Answer

It creates the feel of 2 beats instead of 3

Answer

Hemiola superimposes a grouping of 2 over the prevailing 3, creating a temporary feeling of duple meter.

Question 5

You hear a melody that ends with scale degrees 7-1. This gesture is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Leading-tone resolution

Answer

Scale degree 7 (the leading tone) has a strong tendency to resolve upward by half step to scale degree 1.

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation 2