Songwriters Music Theory and Harmony Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A songwriter in the key of C Major wants to add a moment of unexpected color and melancholy. Which of the following chords, borrowed from the parallel minor key (C minor), would be the most common and effective choice to achieve this?
- F minor (iv) (Correct answer)
- D diminished (ii°)
- G Major (V)
- E-flat Major (â™III)
Correct answer: F minor (iv)
Borrowing the iv chord (F minor) from the parallel minor key is a classic modal interchange technique used to add a touch of melancholy or introspection to a major key progression. While the other chords also exist in C minor, the minor subdominant (iv) is one of the most frequently used and recognizable borrowed chords in popular songwriting, creating a powerful emotional shift without destabilizing the tonic.
Question 2: In a song in the key of G Major, a songwriter uses the chord progression: G - D - Em - C. They decide to insert a chord before the Em to create a stronger pull towards it. Which of the following secondary dominant chords would best accomplish this?
- A Major (V/ii)
- B Major (V/vi) (Correct answer)
- C Major (V/IV)
- D Major (V)
Correct answer: B Major (V/vi)
The Em chord is the 'vi' chord in the key of G Major. A secondary dominant is the dominant (V) chord of a diatonic chord other than the tonic. The dominant of E minor is B Major (or B7). Inserting a B Major chord before the Em creates a V-i resolution (in the temporary key of E minor), providing a strong sense of harmonic direction and tension leading into the Em chord.
Question 3: A songwriter is working on a verse melody and wants to create a progression with a classic, 'feel-good' sound that has been a staple in pop and rock music for decades. Which of the following diatonic chord progressions is most famously associated with this feeling?
- I - vi - IV - V
- i - VI - III - VII
- I - ii - iii - IV
- I - V - vi - IV (Correct answer)
Correct answer: I - V - vi - IV
The I-V-vi-IV progression, often called the 'Axis of Awesome' or 'four-chord' progression, is one of the most ubiquitous and commercially successful progressions in modern popular music. It forms the basis of countless hits across many genres and is known for its uplifting and satisfying resolution.
Question 4: Which of the following musical modes is characterized by being a minor scale with a raised sixth degree, often described as having a 'bright minor' or 'soulful' sound?
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Dorian (Correct answer)
- Locrian
Correct answer: Dorian
The Dorian mode is a minor mode (it has a minor third) but features a major (raised) sixth degree compared to the natural minor scale (Aeolian). This unique interval gives it a sound that is both melancholic and hopeful, and it has been used extensively in folk, jazz, rock, and pop music.
Question 5: A songwriter wants to create a chord progression that strongly establishes the tonic. Which harmonic function serves to create the most tension and strongest desire to resolve back to the tonic (I) chord?
- Mediant
- Subdominant
- Submediant
- Dominant (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dominant
In functional harmony, the Dominant function, represented primarily by the V chord (and V7), creates the maximum harmonic tension in a key. This tension is due to the presence of the leading tone (the 7th degree of the scale), which has a strong melodic pull up to the tonic. This V-I resolution is the most fundamental and powerful cadence in Western harmony.
Question 6: A songwriter has a progression in A Major: A - F#m - D - E. To add melodic interest in the bassline, they change the final E chord to E/G#, placing the G# in the bass. What is this harmonic device called?
- Modal Interchange
- A Chord Inversion (Correct answer)
- A Secondary Dominant
- A Suspension
Correct answer: A Chord Inversion
A chord inversion occurs when a note other than the root is in the lowest-sounding position (the bass). In this case, E is the root of the E major chord (E-G#-B). By placing G# (the third of the chord) in the bass, the songwriter has created the first inversion of the E chord, written as E/G#.
Songwriters Music Theory and Harmony Questions and Answers 1
A songwriter in the key of C Major wants to add a moment of unexpected color and melancholy.
Which of the following chords, borrowed from the parallel minor key (C minor), would be the most common and effective choice to achieve this?