Songwriters Melody and Harmony 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A I-V-vi-IV progression is extremely common in pop songwriting. In the key of C major, those chords are:
- C-G-Am-F (Correct answer)
- C-F-G-Am
- C-Am-F-G
- C-Dm-Em-F
Correct answer: C-G-Am-F
I-V-vi-IV in C major is C, G, Am, F.
Question 2: What do you call the distance in pitch between two notes?
- An interval (Correct answer)
- A cadence
- A key signature
- A dynamic
Correct answer: An interval
An interval measures the pitch distance between two notes.
Question 3: The relative minor of C major is:
- A minor (Correct answer)
- G minor
- E minor
- D minor
Correct answer: A minor
A minor shares the same notes and key signature as C major, making it the relative minor.
Question 4: A melody that moves mostly by adjacent scale steps rather than leaps is described as:
- Stepwise (conjunct) (Correct answer)
- Disjunct
- Arpeggiated
- Atonal
Correct answer: Stepwise (conjunct)
Conjunct motion uses small stepwise movement, which is smooth and singable.
Question 5: When a chord's notes are played one at a time instead of together, it is called:
- An arpeggio (Correct answer)
- A cluster
- A unison
- A cadence
Correct answer: An arpeggio
An arpeggio is a broken chord where the notes sound in sequence.
Question 6: A V-I chord movement at the end of a phrase that gives a strong sense of resolution is a(n):
- Authentic cadence (Correct answer)
- Half cadence
- Deceptive cadence
- No cadence
Correct answer: Authentic cadence
An authentic (perfect) cadence moves dominant to tonic for a conclusive ending.
Question 7: Which scale is most associated with bluesy, soulful melodies in country and rock songwriting?
- The pentatonic scale (Correct answer)
- The chromatic scale
- The whole-tone scale
- The octatonic scale
Correct answer: The pentatonic scale
The pentatonic (five-note) scale is the backbone of blues, country, and rock melodies.
Songwriters Melody and Harmony 3
A I-V-vi-IV progression is extremely common in pop songwriting.
In the key of C major, those chords are: