Music Transcription Music Transcription 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When notating a triplet in 4/4 time, three eighth-note triplets equal the duration of:
- One dotted quarter note
- One quarter note (Correct answer)
- One half note
- Three sixteenth notes
Correct answer: One quarter note
Three eighth-note triplets are played in the time normally occupied by two eighth notes, i.e., one quarter note.
Question 2: A key signature with four sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) indicates which major key?
- E major (Correct answer)
- A major
- B major
- D major
Correct answer: E major
Four sharps in the key signature indicate E major (or its relative minor, C# minor).
Question 3: In transcription, the symbol 'tr' followed by a wavy line above a note indicates:
- Tremolo
- Trill (Correct answer)
- Turn
- Portamento
Correct answer: Trill
The trill (tr) indicates rapid alternation between the written note and the step above it.
Question 4: What does a double bar line with two dots (repeat sign) at the end of a section tell the transcriber?
- The piece has ended
- Play the enclosed section twice (Correct answer)
- Switch to a new key
- Pause before continuing
Correct answer: Play the enclosed section twice
A repeat sign instructs the performer to return to the corresponding start repeat and play the section again.
Question 5: When transcribing rhythm, a note with a filled head and no stem is a:
- Whole note
- Quarter note (Correct answer)
- Eighth note
- Half note
Correct answer: Quarter note
A quarter note has a filled (solid black) note head with a stem and no flag or beam.
Question 6: Which technique involves writing out all notes of an arpeggio chord individually in sequence during transcription?
- Homophonic reduction
- Chord inversion
- Arpeggiation notation (Correct answer)
- Figured bass
Correct answer: Arpeggiation notation
Arpeggiation notation writes out each pitch of a rolled chord as individual notes in rhythmic sequence.
Question 7: In a grand staff for piano, the treble and bass clefs are connected by a:
- Bracket
- Brace (Correct answer)
- Double bar
- Ledger line
Correct answer: Brace
A brace (curly bracket) on the left connects the treble and bass staves of a keyboard instrument.
Music Transcription Music Transcription 3
When notating a triplet in 4/4 time, three eighth-note triplets equal the duration of: