Remixing & Mashups Music Theory for Remixers

Question 1

If a track is in the key of C major, which relative minor key shares its notes?

Accepted Answer

A minor

Answer

A minor is the relative minor of C major; both scales share the same seven notes but start on different root notes.

Question 2

What does 'BPM' stand for in music production?

Accepted Answer

Beats Per Minute

Answer

BPM (Beats Per Minute) is the standard unit for measuring the tempo of a piece of music.

Question 3

What is a 'tritone' and why is it relevant in mashup harmony?

Accepted Answer

An interval of 6 semitones that creates maximum harmonic tension, often causing clashes in mashups

Answer

The tritone (augmented 4th/diminished 5th) is the most dissonant interval in Western music, and mashups combining tritone-related keys will sound harsh.

Question 4

In 4/4 time signature, which beat is traditionally called the 'backbeat'?

Accepted Answer

Beats 2 and 4

Answer

The backbeat falls on beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time, typically where the snare or clap hits in pop, rock, and hip-hop.

Question 5

What is a 'diatonic chord' in music theory?

Accepted Answer

A chord built using only notes from the current key's scale

Answer

Diatonic chords are built exclusively from the notes of a given key's scale without any accidentals (sharps or flats outside the scale).

Remixing & Mashups Practice Test

Remixing & Mashups Practice Test

Remixing & Mashups Music Theory for Remixers