Online Music Lessons Theory 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the relative minor of C major?
- G minor
- A minor (Correct answer)
- E minor
- D minor
Correct answer: A minor
A minor is the relative minor of C major because both share the same key signature (no sharps or flats).
Question 2: Which rhythmic value receives one beat in 6/8 time?
- Quarter note
- Dotted quarter note
- Eighth note (Correct answer)
- Half note
Correct answer: Eighth note
In 6/8 time the eighth note is the basic unit, with six eighth notes per measure grouped in two sets of three.
Question 3: What is a 'suspension' in harmony?
- A chord built in fourths
- A note held over from a chord that creates temporary dissonance (Correct answer)
- Playing notes very softly
- A type of pedal point
Correct answer: A note held over from a chord that creates temporary dissonance
A suspension is a non-chord tone that is held (or repeated) from the previous chord, creating dissonance before resolving.
Question 4: Which clef is most commonly used for bass guitar notation?
- Treble clef
- Alto clef
- Bass clef (Correct answer)
- Tenor clef
Correct answer: Bass clef
Bass guitar is notated in the bass clef, which places middle C on the ledger line above the staff.
Question 5: What is the name for the lowest voice in a standard SATB choir?
- Tenor
- Alto
- Baritone
- Bass (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Bass
In SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) choral writing, the bass is the lowest vocal part.
Question 6: What does 'enharmonic equivalent' mean?
- Two notes that sound the same but are written differently (Correct answer)
- Two chords with the same root
- Notes in the same octave
- Two keys with identical scales
Correct answer: Two notes that sound the same but are written differently
Enharmonic equivalents are notes that have the same pitch but different names, such as C# and Db.
Question 7: How many flats are in the key of Eb major?
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 4
- 5
Correct answer: 3
Eb major has three flats: Bb, Eb, and Ab.
Online Music Lessons Theory 3
What is the relative minor of C major?