Melody and Harmony Flashcards
7 cards from real Songwriters practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Melody and Harmony flashcards as text
In a major key, which chord is built on the fifth scale degree and creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?
Answer: The dominant (V)
The dominant chord contains the leading tone and pulls strongly toward the tonic.
What is the term for a melody note that is not part of the underlying chord but resolves by step?
Answer: Non-chord tone
Non-chord tones add color and tension before resolving into chord tones.
Two notes a perfect fifth apart sound stable and open. This interval is considered:
Answer: Consonant
The perfect fifth is one of the most consonant and stable intervals in Western music.
When a songwriter borrows a chord from the parallel minor key, this technique is called:
Answer: Modal interchange
Modal interchange (borrowed chords) pulls harmony from the parallel mode for added color.
A melodic phrase that ends on a note other than the tonic, leaving a sense of incompleteness, ends with a:
Answer: Half cadence
A half cadence ends on the dominant, creating an unresolved, question-like feel.
Which interval is most commonly used to harmonize a vocal melody for a warm, blended backing part?
Answer: A third or sixth
Thirds and sixths are sweet, consonant intervals ideal for vocal harmonies.
The 'hook' of a song often succeeds because its melody is:
Answer: Memorable and easy to sing
A strong hook is catchy, singable, and repeats enough to stick in the listener's memory.