Music Transcription Melodic and Interval Dictation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transcribing a descending minor third, which solfège movement are you notating?
- Mi down to Do
- La down to Fa
- Sol down to Mi (Correct answer)
- Mi down to Re
Correct answer: Sol down to Mi
A descending minor third spans 3 half steps, and Sol down to Mi in a major scale covers exactly that distance.
Question 2: A melody begins on scale degree 5 and moves stepwise down to scale degree 2. How many notes does it pass through in total, including the start and end?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 6
Correct answer: 4
Moving stepwise from 5 down to 2 passes through 5, 4, 3, 2 — four notes total.
Question 3: In melodic dictation, what does it mean when a pitch is said to 'skipped' rather than 'stepped'?
- It moves by a half step
- It moves by a whole step
- It moves by an interval larger than a second (Correct answer)
- It repeats the same pitch
Correct answer: It moves by an interval larger than a second
A skip (or leap) in melodic motion means the melody moves by an interval of a third or larger.
Question 4: You hear an ascending interval that sounds like the opening of 'Here Comes the Bride.' What interval is it?
- Major second
- Perfect fourth (Correct answer)
- Perfect fifth
- Major third
Correct answer: Perfect fourth
The opening interval of 'Here Comes the Bride' (Bridal Chorus) is an ascending perfect fourth.
Question 5: When writing out a dictated melody, you notice the same pitch repeated three times in a row. What rhythmic device might this suggest?
- A trill
- A tremolo
- Repeated notes on a rhythmic pattern (Correct answer)
- A glissando
Correct answer: Repeated notes on a rhythmic pattern
Three repeated pitches indicate a rhythmic pattern on a single pitch, which is common in melodic dictation exercises.
Question 6: A major sixth ascending is best recognized by which familiar tune?
- 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' (Correct answer)
- 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'
- 'Maria' from West Side Story
- 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'
Correct answer: 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean'
'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' opens with an ascending major sixth, making it a classic ear-training reference.
Question 7: In melodic transcription, why is it important to identify the tonal center before writing individual pitches?
- To determine the tempo
- To know which key signature governs the accidentals (Correct answer)
- To count the number of beats per measure
- To identify the time signature
Correct answer: To know which key signature governs the accidentals
The tonal center determines the key signature, which tells you whether notes are sharp, flat, or natural without extra accidentals.
Music Transcription Melodic and Interval Dictation 2
When transcribing a descending minor third, which solfège movement are you notating?