Music Theory 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 Music Theory and Harmony flashcards as text
In a major key, which chord built on the fifth scale degree creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?
Answer: The dominant (V) chord
The dominant (V) contains the leading tone, which resolves up to the tonic, creating maximum harmonic tension and release.
A songwriter wants a bright, hopeful sound for a chorus. Which mode is most associated with that quality?
Answer: Ionian (major)
Ionian, the standard major scale, has the bright, stable, hopeful character most pop and country choruses use.
What does the chord symbol 'Cmaj7' tell a guitarist to play?
Answer: C, E, G, and B
A major seventh chord stacks the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh (B above C).
The chord progression I–V–vi–IV is extremely common in pop songwriting. In the key of C major, what are those four chords?
Answer: C, G, Am, F
In C major the I–V–vi–IV pattern spells C, G, A minor, and F.
What interval is formed between the two notes C and G?
Answer: A perfect fifth
From C up to G spans seven semitones, which is a perfect fifth.
When a song temporarily uses a chord borrowed from the parallel minor key, this technique is called:
Answer: Modal interchange (borrowed chords)
Modal interchange borrows chords from the parallel key, like using a minor iv in a major-key song.
A capo placed on the second fret while playing chord shapes in the key of C will sound in which key?
Answer: D major
A capo on the second fret raises every note two semitones, so C-shape chords sound in D major.