Songwriters Music Theory Fundamentals 3

Question 1

Which chord is the dominant (V) in the key of C major?

Accepted Answer

G major

Answer

G major is built on the fifth scale degree of C, making it the dominant.

Question 2

A I-IV-V progression in the key of D major uses which three chords?

Accepted Answer

D-G-A

Answer

In D major the I, IV, and V chords are D, G, and A.

Question 3

What is the most common time signature in pop and folk songwriting?

Accepted Answer

4/4

Answer

4/4, or common time, has four quarter-note beats per measure and dominates popular music.

Question 4

Adding a flatted seventh to a major triad creates what type of chord?

Accepted Answer

Dominant seventh

Answer

A major triad plus a minor (flat) seventh forms a dominant seventh chord.

Question 5

Which scale degree is called the 'leading tone' in a major scale?

Accepted Answer

The 7th

Answer

The seventh degree pulls strongly up to the tonic and is the leading tone.

Songwriters Practice Test