Songwriters Melody and Chord Progressions 3

Question 1

What does a 'secondary dominant' such as V/V (five of five) do in a progression?

Accepted Answer

Temporarily tonicizes a chord other than the tonic

Answer

A secondary dominant acts as the dominant of a chord other than I, briefly making that chord feel like a temporary home.

Question 2

Which scale is most commonly used to write country and folk vocal melodies because it avoids dissonant tones?

Accepted Answer

The major pentatonic scale

Answer

The major pentatonic scale's five notes avoid the more dissonant intervals, making melodies sound consonant and singable.

Question 3

A 'turnaround' at the end of a section primarily serves what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Leads the harmony back to the start of the next section

Answer

A turnaround is a short progression that redirects the harmony back to the top for the next verse or chorus.

Question 4

Which chord substitution adds color by replacing the V chord with a chord a tritone away in jazz-influenced songwriting?

Accepted Answer

Tritone substitution

Answer

A tritone substitution swaps the dominant for a dominant chord a tritone away, sharing key tones but adding chromatic motion.

Question 5

What is 'call and response' in melody writing?

Accepted Answer

A phrase is answered by a contrasting or complementary phrase

Answer

Call and response pairs a musical 'question' phrase with an 'answer' phrase, a hallmark of blues and country.

Songwriters Practice Test