Songwriters Music Theory Fundamentals 2

Question 1

How many half steps make up a perfect fifth?

Accepted Answer

7

Answer

A perfect fifth spans seven half steps, such as C up to G.

Question 2

In a major scale, between which scale degrees do the natural half steps occur?

Accepted Answer

3-4 and 7-8

Answer

The major scale's half steps fall between degrees 3-4 and 7-8.

Question 3

What is the relative minor of C major?

Accepted Answer

A minor

Answer

A minor shares the same notes as C major and sits a minor third below it.

Question 4

Which interval is considered dissonant and often called the 'tritone'?

Accepted Answer

Augmented fourth

Answer

The augmented fourth (or diminished fifth) spans six half steps and is the tritone.

Question 5

A triad built by stacking two minor thirds produces which chord quality?

Accepted Answer

Diminished

Answer

Two stacked minor thirds create a diminished triad.

Songwriters Practice Test