Songwriters Music Theory and Harmony 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a major key, which chord built on the fifth scale degree creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?
- The dominant (V) chord (Correct answer)
- The subdominant (IV) chord
- The mediant (iii) chord
- The submediant (vi) chord
Correct answer: The dominant (V) chord
The dominant (V) contains the leading tone, which resolves up to the tonic, creating maximum harmonic tension and release.
Question 2: A songwriter wants a bright, hopeful sound for a chorus. Which mode is most associated with that quality?
- Ionian (major) (Correct answer)
- Aeolian (natural minor)
- Phrygian
- Locrian
Correct answer: Ionian (major)
Ionian, the standard major scale, has the bright, stable, hopeful character most pop and country choruses use.
Question 3: What does the chord symbol 'Cmaj7' tell a guitarist to play?
- C, E, G, and B (Correct answer)
- C, E, G, and Bb
- C, Eb, G, and B
- C, E, G, and A
Correct answer: C, E, G, and B
A major seventh chord stacks the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh (B above C).
Question 4: The chord progression I–V–vi–IV is extremely common in pop songwriting. In the key of C major, what are those four chords?
- C, G, Am, F (Correct answer)
- C, F, G, Am
- C, Em, Am, G
- C, G, F, Dm
Correct answer: C, G, Am, F
In C major the I–V–vi–IV pattern spells C, G, A minor, and F.
Question 5: What interval is formed between the two notes C and G?
- A perfect fifth (Correct answer)
- A perfect fourth
- A major third
- A minor sixth
Correct answer: A perfect fifth
From C up to G spans seven semitones, which is a perfect fifth.
Question 6: When a song temporarily uses a chord borrowed from the parallel minor key, this technique is called:
- Modal interchange (borrowed chords) (Correct answer)
- Transposition
- Inversion
- Augmentation
Correct answer: Modal interchange (borrowed chords)
Modal interchange borrows chords from the parallel key, like using a minor iv in a major-key song.
Question 7: A capo placed on the second fret while playing chord shapes in the key of C will sound in which key?
- D major (Correct answer)
- B major
- E major
- C# major
Correct answer: D major
A capo on the second fret raises every note two semitones, so C-shape chords sound in D major.
Songwriters Music Theory and Harmony 2
In a major key, which chord built on the fifth scale degree creates the strongest pull back to the tonic?