FREE BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Aural Skills and Dictation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A four-measure melody in G Major and 4/4 time is played for a student. The final two notes of the melody are B, resolving to G. Which of the following cadences is most likely being used?

Accepted Answer

Authentic Cadence (V-I)

Answer

Plagal Cadence (IV-I)

Answer

Deceptive Cadence (V-vi)

Answer

Half Cadence (ending on V)

Question 2

During a rhythmic dictation exercise in 6/8 time, you hear a pattern in one measure that consists of a dotted quarter note followed by three eighth notes. How would this rhythm be correctly notated?

Accepted Answer

A dotted quarter note followed by three eighth notes.

Answer

Two dotted quarter notes.

Answer

A quarter note, an eighth note, and a half note.

Answer

Six eighth notes.

Question 3

You are taking a harmonic dictation and hear the following four-part progression in C minor: C minor (i) -> F minor (iv) -> G Major (V) -> C minor (i). Which voice-leading error is most likely to occur between the V and i chords if proper voice-leading rules are not followed?

Accepted Answer

Parallel octaves between the bass and soprano

Answer

Overlapping voices

Answer

A crossed voice between the alto and tenor

Answer

An unresolved leading tone in an inner voice

Question 4

A student is asked to perform sight-singing on a melody that contains a modulation. The piece begins in D Major and modulates to A Major. Which accidental would the student most likely encounter as a key indicator of this modulation?

Accepted Answer

G-sharp

Answer

C-natural

Answer

F-natural

Answer

B-flat

Question 5

In an error detection exercise, a short four-part chorale excerpt is played twice. The notated score shows a standard I-IV-V-I progression. However, the recording clearly contains a suspension in the alto voice over the dominant chord. Which of the following describes what the student likely heard?

Accepted Answer

A 4-3 suspension, where the alto holds the root of the IV chord (tonic) over the V chord before resolving down.

Answer

A 7-6 suspension, where the alto holds the fifth of the IV chord over the V chord before resolving.

Answer

A 9-8 suspension, where the alto holds the third of the IV chord over the V chord before resolving.

Answer

An anticipation tone, where the alto sings a note from the I chord early.

Question 6

Which of the following melodic contours would be the most challenging to sing accurately at first sight, especially for a novice singer?

Accepted Answer

A passage containing multiple augmented and diminished intervals.

Answer

A series of ascending and descending stepwise motions.

Answer

A melody primarily composed of arpeggiated tonic and dominant triads.

Answer

A phrase that outlines a major scale from tonic to tonic.

A four-measure melody in G Major and 4/4 time is played for a student.The final two notes of the melody are B, resolving to G.Which of the following cadences is most likely being used?

A four-measure melody in G Major and 4/4 time is played for a student.
The final two notes of the melody are B, resolving to G.
Which of the following cadences is most likely being used?