Free Music Transcription Harmonic Dictation and Analysis Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a harmonic dictation exercise in a major key, you hear a four-chord phrase that ends with the progression V - vi. The final chord creates a sense of surprise, avoiding the expected resolution to the tonic. Which type of cadence have you identified?
- Perfect Authentic Cadence
- Plagal Cadence
- Deceptive Cadence (Correct answer)
- Half Cadence
Correct answer: Deceptive Cadence
A Deceptive Cadence occurs when the dominant chord (V) resolves to the submediant chord (vi) instead of the expected tonic (I). This creates a feeling of surprise or 'deception' because it avoids the strong sense of finality associated with an authentic cadence.
Question 2: You are analyzing a four-part chorale. In one measure, over a C major chord (C-E-G), the soprano voice moves from E to F and then back to E, while the harmony remains unchanged. The F occurs on a weak beat. How would you classify the non-chord tone F?
- Passing Tone
- Neighbor Tone (Correct answer)
- Appoggiatura
- Anticipation
Correct answer: Neighbor Tone
A Neighbor Tone is a non-chord tone that is approached by step from a chord tone and then returns by step to the same chord tone. In this case, the F is a step above the chord tone E and resolves back down to the same E.
Question 3: During dictation, you identify a chord containing the notes D, F-sharp, A, and C in the key of C major. The chord resolves to a G major triad. Which of the following is the most accurate Roman numeral analysis for this D chord?
- ii⁷
- V⁷/V (Correct answer)
- V⁷
- vii°⁷/V
Correct answer: V⁷/V
The chord is a D dominant seventh (D-F#-A-C), which is not diatonic to C major. Its function is to act as the dominant (V) of the G major chord (the V of C major). Therefore, it is analyzed as a secondary dominant, specifically 'five-seven of five' (V⁷/V).
Question 4: A seventh chord is played, and you must distinguish whether it is a half-diminished seventh (ø⁷) or a fully-diminished seventh (o⁷). Which interval from the root to the seventh is the key differentiator between these two chords?
- The quality of the fifth (perfect vs. diminished)
- The quality of the third (major vs. minor)
- The quality of the seventh (minor vs. diminished) (Correct answer)
- The position of the chord (root vs. inversion)
Correct answer: The quality of the seventh (minor vs. diminished)
Both half-diminished and fully-diminished seventh chords have a diminished triad (root, minor third, diminished fifth). The defining difference is the seventh. A half-diminished seventh chord has a minor seventh above the root, while a fully-diminished seventh chord has a diminished seventh above the root.
Question 5: You are transcribing the bass line and harmonies of a passage. You identify a G7 chord, and the bass note is F. What is the correct figured bass symbol for this chord?
- 6/5
- 7
- 4/3
- 4/2 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 4/2
A G7 chord consists of the notes G (root), B (third), D (fifth), and F (seventh). When the seventh of the chord (F) is in the bass, the chord is in third inversion. The abbreviated figured bass symbol for a third inversion seventh chord is 4/2.
Question 6: In a harmonic dictation, you hear a progression in C major: C major (I) -> A major (VI) -> D minor (ii) -> G major (V) -> C major (I). The A major chord is unusual because the diatonic vi chord is A minor. What is the function of this A major chord?
- It is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key.
- It is the tonic of a new key area due to modulation.
- It is a secondary dominant preparing the ii chord. (Correct answer)
- It is a chromatic passing chord with no functional significance.
Correct answer: It is a secondary dominant preparing the ii chord.
The A major chord (A-C#-E) functions as the dominant of D minor (the ii chord). A major is the V chord in the key of D minor. This temporary tonicization of the ii chord means the A major chord is a secondary dominant, analyzed as V/ii.
Free Music Transcription Harmonic Dictation and Analysis Questions and Answers
In a harmonic dictation exercise in a major key, you hear a four-chord phrase that ends with the progression V - vi.
The final chord creates a sense of surprise, avoiding the expected resolution to the tonic.
Which type of cadence have you identified?