Songwriters Music Theory and Harmony 3

Question 1

What is the relative minor of G major?

Accepted Answer

E minor

Answer

The relative minor sits on the sixth degree of the major scale, which is E in G major, and shares the same key signature.

Question 2

A 'secondary dominant' such as V/V in the key of C would most likely be which chord?

Accepted Answer

D major (D7)

Answer

V/V is the dominant of the dominant; the dominant is G, and G's dominant is D major.

Question 3

Which time signature would a songwriter choose for a classic waltz feel?

Accepted Answer

3/4

Answer

A waltz has a strong three-beat pulse, notated as 3/4 with one beat per quarter note.

Question 4

What distinguishes a suspended (sus4) chord from a major chord?

Accepted Answer

The third is replaced by the fourth

Answer

A sus4 chord replaces the major or minor third with the perfect fourth, creating an unresolved, open sound.

Question 5

In the Nashville Number System, the number '4' in a song written in the key of A refers to which chord?

Accepted Answer

D

Answer

The 4 chord is built on the fourth scale degree; in A major that is D.

Songwriters Practice Test