Major Scales: Construction, Intervals, and Characteristics

Question 1

Identify the correct intervallic structure of a major scale:

Accepted Answer

Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half

Answer

Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole

Answer

Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole

Answer

Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a major scale?

Accepted Answer

D minor

Answer

C major

Answer

G major

Answer

F# major

Question 3

Describe the typical ascending melodic contour of a major scale:

Accepted Answer

Step-Step-Step-Half Step-Step-Step-Half Step

Answer

Half Step-Step-Step-Half Step-Step-Step-Step-Half Step

Answer

Step-Half Step-Step-Step-Half Step-Step-Step

Answer

Half Step-Step-Step-Step-Half Step-Step-Half Step-Step

Question 4

Typically, which type of chord is found on the fifth degree of a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Major triad

Answer

Minor triad

Answer

Diminished triad

Answer

Augmented triad

Question 5

Which scale is generated by starting on the sixth degree of a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Relative minor scale

Answer

Parallel minor scale

Answer

Relative major scale

Answer

Parallel major scale

Question 6

Of the following intervals, which is not present between any two notes in a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Augmented second

Answer

Major second

Answer

Minor second

Answer

Perfect fourth

Question 7

What is the primary function of accidentals in the construction of major scales?

Accepted Answer

To modify the pitch of specific notes

Answer

To indicate the tonic note

Answer

To introduce chromaticism

Answer

To alter the intervallic structure

Question 8

Identify the note that acts as the foundation of a major scale, known as the:

Accepted Answer

Tonic

Answer

Subdominant

Answer

Dominant

Answer

Leading tone

Question 9

Which characteristic best describes the general mood or character of major scales?

Accepted Answer

Bright and cheerful

Answer

Melodic and flowing

Answer

Dark and mysterious

Answer

Slow and somber

Question 10

To achieve a raised seventh note in a major scale, which chromatic alteration is used?

Accepted Answer

Sharpen

Answer

Double sharpen

Answer

Double flatten

Answer

Flatten

Question 11

Identify the major scale type that follows the intervallic pattern of a natural major scale:

Accepted Answer

Ionian

Answer

Dorian

Answer

Phrygian

Answer

Mixolydian

Question 12

Determine the rule for determining the key signature of a major scale:

Accepted Answer

One sharp for every note above the tonic

Answer

One flat for every note below the tonic

Question 13

Identify the interval formed between the tonic and third note of a major scale:

Accepted Answer

Major third

Answer

Minor second

Answer

Perfect fourth

Question 14

Identify the type of triad built on the tonic of a major scale:

Accepted Answer

Major triad

Answer

Augmented triad

Answer

Minor triad

Answer

Diminished triad

Question 15

Is the statement true or false: Major scales can only exist in ascending form?

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 16

Which of the following is the enharmonic equivalent of the Db major scale?

Accepted Answer

C# major scale

Answer

E major scale

Answer

D major scale

Answer

Eb major scale

Question 17

Which of the following accidentals is required to form the leading tone in a D major scale?

Accepted Answer

C sharp

Answer

D sharp

Answer

C natural

Answer

C flat

Question 18

What is the formula for constructing a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone-Tone-Semitone

Answer

Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone

Answer

Semitone-Tone-Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone

Answer

Tone-Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone-Tone

Question 19

Which of the following characteristics is unique to major scales?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a leading tone

Answer

A symmetrical pattern of intervals

Answer

The use of only natural notes

Answer

A tonal center that resolves to the tonic

Question 20

What is the key signature of a B major scale?

Accepted Answer

Five sharps

Answer

Two sharps

Answer

Four sharps

Answer

Three sharps

Question 21

What is the solfège name for the seventh scale degree in a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Ti

Answer

Re

Answer

Do

Answer

Mi

Question 22

Which of the following notes is NOT a fundamental step in the C major scale?

Accepted Answer

F#

Answer

G

Answer

C

Answer

E