Music Transcription Music Transcription Chord Quality and Inversions Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

When transcribing a chord voiced as E-G#-B-C#, what is the correct chord symbol?

Accepted Answer

A major 7th in first inversion

Answer

The notes E-G#-B-C# spell an A major 7th chord with E (the fifth) in the bass, making it third inversion.

Question 2

In figured bass notation, what does the symbol 6/4 indicate about a triad's inversion?

Accepted Answer

Second inversion

Answer

The figured bass 6/4 indicates second inversion, where the fifth of the chord is in the bass voice.

Question 3

A transcriber hears a chord with the notes B-D-F. What is the chord quality?

Accepted Answer

B diminished

Answer

B-D-F contains a minor third (B to D) and a diminished fifth (B to F), forming a B diminished triad.

Question 4

Which voicing indicates a dominant 7th chord in second inversion?

Accepted Answer

5th-7th-Root-3rd

Answer

Second inversion of a seventh chord places the fifth in the bass, giving the voicing 5th-7th-Root-3rd.

Question 5

When transcribing the notes F-A-C-Eb with F in the bass, what chord symbol should be written?

Accepted Answer

F dominant 7th

Answer

F-A-C-Eb contains a major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh above F, spelling an F dominant 7th chord in root position.

Music Transcription Practice Test