Music Transcription Chord Quality and Inversions 4

Question 1

How many semitones apart are the two notes in a tritone?

Accepted Answer

6

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Major seventh (11 semitones)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Second inversion

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Diminished

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

G7 with B in the bass

Answer

First inversion places the third (B) in the bass of a G7 chord.

Music Transcription Practice Test