Guitar Guitar 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'circle of fifths' used for in music theory?
- A warm-up exercise pattern for scales
- A diagram showing the relationships between all 12 keys (Correct answer)
- A method for tuning by ear
- A chord-strumming technique for beginners
Correct answer: A diagram showing the relationships between all 12 keys
The circle of fifths is a visual representation of how the 12 major (and relative minor) keys relate to each other by intervals of a perfect fifth.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'sweep picking'?
- Strumming all strings with a wide arm motion
- Raking the pick across adjacent strings in one fluid motion while fretting arpeggios (Correct answer)
- Muting unwanted strings with the picking hand
- Alternating down and up strokes rapidly on one string
Correct answer: Raking the pick across adjacent strings in one fluid motion while fretting arpeggios
Sweep picking involves a single smooth picking motion across multiple strings while the fretting hand plays an arpeggio pattern, enabling very fast note sequences.
Question 3: What is a 'power chord' (e.g., E5)?
- A chord using all six strings
- A two- or three-note chord consisting of the root and perfect fifth (Correct answer)
- A chord played at maximum amplifier volume
- A chord using the root and major third only
Correct answer: A two- or three-note chord consisting of the root and perfect fifth
A power chord consists of the root note and the perfect fifth (and optionally the octave), with no third, giving it a neutral, powerful sound.
Question 4: What does the term 'intonation' refer to when setting up a guitar?
- The overall tone quality of the guitar body
- Whether the guitar plays in tune at all positions along the neck (Correct answer)
- The gap between the nut slots and strings
- The angle at which the neck joins the body
Correct answer: Whether the guitar plays in tune at all positions along the neck
Intonation refers to whether the guitar plays accurately in tune across the full length of the fretboard, adjusted by moving the bridge saddles.
Question 5: What type of guitar pickup converts string vibrations into an electrical signal using magnets and wire coils?
- Piezoelectric pickup
- Magnetic (electromagnetic) pickup (Correct answer)
- Condenser pickup
- Carbon pickup
Correct answer: Magnetic (electromagnetic) pickup
Magnetic pickups use magnets wrapped with wire coils to sense string vibrations through electromagnetic induction.
Question 6: What does 'drop D' tuning involve?
- Lowering all six strings by one whole step
- Lowering only the sixth (lowest) string from E to D (Correct answer)
- Raising the first string from E to F
- Removing the D string from the guitar
Correct answer: Lowering only the sixth (lowest) string from E to D
Drop D tuning lowers the 6th string from E down to D, enabling easy one-finger power chords on the lowest three strings.
Question 7: What is 'vibrato' technique on guitar?
- Quickly alternating between two notes
- Rapidly bending and releasing a string to create a wavering pitch effect (Correct answer)
- Playing a note at twice its normal speed
- Plucking a string near the bridge for a bright tone
Correct answer: Rapidly bending and releasing a string to create a wavering pitch effect
Vibrato is achieved by repeatedly bending a fretted string slightly and returning it to pitch, creating an expressive wavering in the note.
Guitar Guitar 4
What is the 'circle of fifths' used for in music theory?