Songwriters FREE Songwriters Music Theory Fundamentals Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which interval is formed between the notes C and E in a major scale?
- Major third (Correct answer)
- Minor third
- Perfect fourth
- Perfect fifth
Correct answer: Major third
C to E spans two whole steps, which defines a major third interval.
Question 2: What does a key signature with one sharp (F#) indicate?
- G major or E minor (Correct answer)
- D major or B minor
- A major or F# minor
- C major or A minor
Correct answer: G major or E minor
One sharp (F#) in the key signature indicates either G major or its relative minor, E minor.
Question 3: In songwriting, what is the function of the V chord in a major key?
- Dominant (Correct answer)
- Tonic
- Subdominant
- Mediant
Correct answer: Dominant
The V chord serves as the dominant, creating tension that naturally resolves to the tonic.
Question 4: What term describes a melody that moves by steps rather than leaps?
- Conjunct motion (Correct answer)
- Disjunct motion
- Contrary motion
- Oblique motion
Correct answer: Conjunct motion
Conjunct motion refers to melodic movement by adjacent scale degrees or half/whole steps.
Question 5: Which mode shares the same notes as C major but starts on the sixth degree (A)?
- Aeolian (Correct answer)
- Dorian
- Mixolydian
- Phrygian
Correct answer: Aeolian
The Aeolian mode starts on the sixth degree of a major scale and forms the natural minor scale.
Question 6: What does a dot after a half note do to its duration?
- Adds half of its value, making it three beats (Correct answer)
- Doubles its value to four beats
- Reduces it to one beat
- Has no effect on duration
Correct answer: Adds half of its value, making it three beats
A dot adds half the original note's value, so a dotted half note equals three beats in common time.
Songwriters FREE Songwriters Music Theory Fundamentals Questions and Answers 2
Which interval is formed between the notes C and E in a major scale?