Music Transcription Harmonic Dictation and Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In harmonic dictation, a chord that moves from IV to V is an example of which type of harmonic motion?
- Plagal motion
- Authentic motion
- Subdominant-to-dominant motion (Correct answer)
- Retrograde motion
Correct answer: Subdominant-to-dominant motion
IV moving to V is called subdominant-to-dominant motion, a common pre-dominant to dominant progression.
Question 2: When notating a secondary dominant chord in Roman numeral analysis, how is V/V written in the key of C major?
- G major chord
- D major chord (Correct answer)
- A major chord
- B major chord
Correct answer: D major chord
V/V in C major is D major because D is the dominant of G (V), requiring a raised third (F#).
Question 3: Which interval is characteristic of a diminished seventh chord that distinguishes it from a half-diminished seventh chord?
- The root
- The fifth
- The seventh (Correct answer)
- The third
Correct answer: The seventh
A diminished seventh chord has a diminished seventh interval, while a half-diminished has a minor seventh.
Question 4: In harmonic analysis, what does the symbol 'N6' represent?
- Neapolitan sixth chord (Correct answer)
- Natural sixth chord
- Normal subdominant sixth
- Neighboring sixth chord
Correct answer: Neapolitan sixth chord
N6 stands for the Neapolitan sixth chord, a major triad built on the lowered second scale degree in first inversion.
Question 5: When transcribing harmony by ear, a sustained bass note while the upper voices change is most likely indicating which harmonic device?
- A sequence
- A pedal point (Correct answer)
- A deceptive cadence
- A passing chord
Correct answer: A pedal point
A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note in the bass while harmonies change above it.
Question 6: In a I–IV–V–I progression in G major, which chord would contain the note D as its root?
- I (G major)
- IV (C major)
- V (D major) (Correct answer)
- None of them
Correct answer: V (D major)
The V chord in G major is D major, built on the fifth scale degree (D).
Question 7: Which cadence type ends on the V chord, creating a sense of incompleteness?
- Authentic cadence
- Plagal cadence
- Half cadence (Correct answer)
- Deceptive cadence
Correct answer: Half cadence
A half cadence ends on the V chord, leaving the music harmonically open and unresolved.
Music Transcription Harmonic Dictation and Analysis 2
In harmonic dictation, a chord that moves from IV to V is an example of which type of harmonic motion?