Music Transcription Chord Quality and Inversions 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many semitones apart are the two notes in a tritone?
- 5
- 6 (Correct answer)
- 7
- 8
Correct answer: 6
A tritone spans exactly 6 semitones, dividing the octave exactly in half.
Question 2: When transcribing a major-major seventh chord (Maj7), what interval is between the root and the seventh?
- Minor seventh (10 semitones)
- Major seventh (11 semitones) (Correct answer)
- Diminished seventh (9 semitones)
- Perfect octave (12 semitones)
Correct answer: Major seventh (11 semitones)
A major seventh chord has a major seventh (11 semitones) between the root and the top note.
Question 3: Which inversion of a triad is considered the least stable and typically demands resolution?
- Root position
- First inversion
- Second inversion (Correct answer)
- All inversions are equally stable
Correct answer: Second inversion
Second inversion (the cadential 6/4) is the least stable triad inversion and strongly demands resolution.
Question 4: What chord quality has a minor third and a diminished fifth above the root?
- Minor
- Augmented
- Diminished (Correct answer)
- Major
Correct answer: Diminished
A diminished triad is built from a minor third (3 semitones) and a diminished fifth (6 semitones) above the root.
Question 5: In music transcription, how would you notate a G dominant seventh chord in first inversion?
- G7 with B in the bass (Correct answer)
- G7 with D in the bass
- G7 with F in the bass
- G7 with G in the bass
Correct answer: G7 with B in the bass
First inversion places the third (B) in the bass of a G7 chord.
Question 6: A Neapolitan chord (N or ♭II) is typically used in which position?
- Root position
- First inversion (Correct answer)
- Second inversion
- Third inversion
Correct answer: First inversion
The Neapolitan chord is conventionally used in first inversion, with scale degree 4 in the bass.
Question 7: If you hear a chord that sounds like a major triad but with a raised fifth, what quality is it?
- Suspended
- Augmented (Correct answer)
- Minor
- Dominant
Correct answer: Augmented
Raising the fifth of a major triad by a half step creates an augmented triad.
Music Transcription Chord Quality and Inversions 4
How many semitones apart are the two notes in a tritone?