Music Transcription Harmonic Progression Analysis 3

Question 1

When transcribing a blues progression, the I7, IV7, and V7 chords are all dominant 7ths. What does this suggest about the tonality?

Accepted Answer

It is in a mixolydian-inflected blues tonality

Answer

Blues tonality uses all dominant 7th chords on I, IV, and V, reflecting a mixolydian and blues scale inflection rather than strict major or minor.

Question 2

A chord progression with the figured bass symbols 6/4 indicates which inversion?

Accepted Answer

Second inversion

Answer

Figured bass 6/4 indicates second inversion, where the fifth of the chord is in the bass.

Question 3

Which term describes a chord borrowed from the parallel minor key used within a major key progression?

Accepted Answer

Mode mixture

Answer

Mode mixture (modal borrowing) refers to using chords from the parallel minor within a major key context.

Question 4

In a progression I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V, what is the most common name for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Pachelbel's Canon progression

Answer

The I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V pattern is famously associated with Pachelbel's Canon and widely used in pop music.

Question 5

When analyzing a half-diminished chord (ø7), which intervals make up its construction?

Accepted Answer

Minor 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd

Answer

A half-diminished 7th chord (ø7) is built with a minor 3rd, another minor 3rd, and a major 3rd from bottom to top.

Music Transcription Practice Test