Music Transcription Melodic and Interval Recognition 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A melody note A4 moves to F4 (descending). What compound or simple interval is formed?
- Minor 3rd (Correct answer)
- Major 3rd
- Perfect 4th
- Minor 6th
Correct answer: Minor 3rd
A descending from A to F spans 3 letter names with 3 half steps, a Minor 3rd.
Question 2: Which term describes an interval larger than an octave, such as a 9th or 10th?
- Compound interval (Correct answer)
- Simple interval
- Enharmonic interval
- Chromatic interval
Correct answer: Compound interval
Any interval spanning more than an octave is called a compound interval (e.g., Major 9th = Major 2nd + octave).
Question 3: In transcribing a folk melody, you notice the notes B4 and F5 appear together melodically. What interval is this, enharmonically?
- Tritone (Correct answer)
- Perfect 5th
- Major 6th
- Minor 7th
Correct answer: Tritone
B to F spans 6 half steps, which is a tritone (augmented 4th / diminished 5th).
Question 4: What does 'enharmonic equivalent' mean when applied to intervals in transcription?
- Two intervals that sound identical but are spelled differently (Correct answer)
- Two intervals of the same size and spelling
- An interval that spans exactly one octave
- An interval requiring accidentals
Correct answer: Two intervals that sound identical but are spelled differently
Enharmonic equivalents sound the same (same number of half steps) but use different note names, like C#–G and Db–Ab.
Question 5: When a melody outlines the notes of a triad from root to fifth, which two intervals are stacked?
- A 3rd and a 3rd (Correct answer)
- A 2nd and a 4th
- A 4th and a 2nd
- A 5th and a unison
Correct answer: A 3rd and a 3rd
A triad from root to 5th is built of two stacked thirds (e.g., C–E = Major 3rd, E–G = Minor 3rd).
Question 6: A melody ascends from G4 to F5. What interval is this?
- Minor 7th (Correct answer)
- Major 7th
- Perfect Octave
- Major 6th
Correct answer: Minor 7th
G up to F spans 7 letter names and 10 half steps, which is a Minor 7th.
Question 7: Which practice technique is most effective for training melodic interval recognition by ear?
- Associating each interval with a familiar melody (Correct answer)
- Memorizing all intervals as half-step counts only
- Always singing intervals on a neutral syllable
- Transcribing only harmonic intervals
Correct answer: Associating each interval with a familiar melody
Linking intervals to well-known melodies (e.g., 'Happy Birthday' for a Major 2nd ascent) creates lasting aural references.
Music Transcription Melodic and Interval Recognition 4
A melody note A4 moves to F4 (descending).
What compound or simple interval is formed?