Songwriters Melody and Harmony 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a major key, which chord is built on the fifth scale degree and creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?
- The dominant (V) (Correct answer)
- The subdominant (IV)
- The mediant (iii)
- The submediant (vi)
Correct answer: The dominant (V)
The dominant chord contains the leading tone and pulls strongly toward the tonic.
Question 2: What is the term for a melody note that is not part of the underlying chord but resolves by step?
- Non-chord tone (Correct answer)
- Root
- Pedal point
- Tonic
Correct answer: Non-chord tone
Non-chord tones add color and tension before resolving into chord tones.
Question 3: Two notes a perfect fifth apart sound stable and open. This interval is considered:
- Consonant (Correct answer)
- Dissonant
- Chromatic
- Atonal
Correct answer: Consonant
The perfect fifth is one of the most consonant and stable intervals in Western music.
Question 4: When a songwriter borrows a chord from the parallel minor key, this technique is called:
- Modal interchange (Correct answer)
- Inversion
- Transposition
- Syncopation
Correct answer: Modal interchange
Modal interchange (borrowed chords) pulls harmony from the parallel mode for added color.
Question 5: A melodic phrase that ends on a note other than the tonic, leaving a sense of incompleteness, ends with a:
- Half cadence (Correct answer)
- Authentic cadence
- Plagal cadence
- Final cadence
Correct answer: Half cadence
A half cadence ends on the dominant, creating an unresolved, question-like feel.
Question 6: Which interval is most commonly used to harmonize a vocal melody for a warm, blended backing part?
- A third or sixth (Correct answer)
- A minor second
- A tritone
- An octave plus a second
Correct answer: A third or sixth
Thirds and sixths are sweet, consonant intervals ideal for vocal harmonies.
Question 7: The 'hook' of a song often succeeds because its melody is:
- Memorable and easy to sing (Correct answer)
- Highly chromatic and complex
- Always atonal
- Without any repetition
Correct answer: Memorable and easy to sing
A strong hook is catchy, singable, and repeats enough to stick in the listener's memory.
Songwriters Melody and Harmony 2
In a major key, which chord is built on the fifth scale degree and creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?