Online Music Lessons Theory 4

Question 1

What is a 'leading tone' in a major scale?

Accepted Answer

The seventh scale degree, a half step below the tonic

Answer

The leading tone is the seventh degree of the major scale, only a half step below the tonic, creating strong pull toward resolution.

Question 2

Which term describes gradually getting louder?

Accepted Answer

Crescendo

Answer

Crescendo is the Italian term and symbol (hairpin opening to the right) indicating a gradual increase in volume.

Question 3

What is the function of a 'coda' in a piece of music?

Accepted Answer

A concluding passage that brings the piece to an end

Answer

A coda is a concluding section, often marked with a target symbol (⊕), that provides a definitive ending to the piece.

Question 4

In chord notation, what does a lowercase 'm' after a letter indicate?

Accepted Answer

Minor chord

Answer

A lowercase 'm' (e.g., Am, Dm) indicates a minor chord, built with a minor third above the root.

Question 5

What is 'voice leading' in music theory?

Accepted Answer

The smooth movement of individual voices from one chord to the next

Answer

Voice leading refers to the way individual melodic lines or voices move smoothly and efficiently between chords.

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