Music Theory: Harmony and Counterpoint Quizzes - Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

Which triad type consists of a minor third and a perfect fifth?

Accepted Answer

Minor triad

Answer

Major triad

Answer

Augmented triad

Answer

Diminished triad

Question 2

In music theory, what is the term for a chord with three notes stacked in thirds, with the lowest note being the root?

Accepted Answer

Triad

Answer

Dyad

Answer

Seventh chord

Answer

Extended chord

Question 3

Identify the dominant seventh chord from the options provided:

Accepted Answer

G7

Answer

Cmaj7

Answer

Dm6

Answer

Fmaj9

Question 4

In music theory, what is the defining characteristic of a plagal cadence?

Accepted Answer

Subdominant to tonic chord progression

Answer

Tonic to dominant chord progression

Answer

Dominant to subdominant chord progression

Answer

Tonic to dominant seventh chord progression

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct term for a chord consisting of a root, a third, and a fifth?

Accepted Answer

Triad

Answer

Dyad

Answer

Quadrad

Answer

Hexad

Question 6

In music theory, which authentic cadence is considered the strongest, resolving to a stable tonic chord with a leading tone?

Accepted Answer

Perfect authentic cadence

Answer

Plagal cadence

Answer

Half cadence

Answer

Deceptive cadence

Question 7

Which of the following chords is NOT a type of seventh chord?

Accepted Answer

Suspended fourth chord

Answer

Major seventh chord

Answer

Minor seventh chord

Answer

Dominant seventh chord

Question 8

What type of musical scale uses only five notes?

Accepted Answer

Pentatonic scale

Answer

Major scale

Answer

Minor scale

Answer

Chromatic scale

Question 9

Which of the following chords has more than four notes, making it an extended chord?

Accepted Answer

Ninth chord

Answer

Major triad

Answer

Minor seventh chord

Answer

Suspended fourth chord

Question 10

Which of the following is classified as a perfect interval in music theory?

Accepted Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Minor third

Answer

Augmented second

Answer

Diminished seventh

Question 11

Identify the interval that represents a perfect fifth.

Accepted Answer

G to D

Answer

C to E flat

Answer

A to D sharp

Answer

F sharp to C sharp

Question 12

When writing the augmented eleventh chord, which of the following is the correct way to indicate an augmented fifth?

Accepted Answer

11#5

Answer

11+

Answer

11

Answer

11b5

Question 13

In traditional Western music theory, which type of chord creates tension and usually needs to be followed by a more stable chord?

Accepted Answer

Dominant seventh chord

Answer

Major triad

Answer

Perfect fifth interval

Answer

Minor second interval

Question 14

Identify the interval that is a perfect fifth.

Accepted Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Major second

Answer

Minor third

Answer

Major sixth

Question 15

In music theory, what is the main purpose of the dominant seventh chord in harmonic progressions?

Accepted Answer

To introduce dissonance that requires resolution

Answer

To create a sense of stability and resolution

Answer

To introduce a new melodic idea

Answer

To provide a contrasting sound

Question 16

In a natural minor scale, which scale degree forms a perfect fifth interval above the root?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

1

Answer

3

Answer

7

Question 17

Which type of seventh chord is NOT typically found in tonal music?

Accepted Answer

Added seventh chord

Answer

Major seventh chord

Answer

Minor seventh chord

Answer

Dominant seventh chord

Question 18

Which type of chord is NOT an extended seventh chord?

Accepted Answer

Suspended seventh

Answer

Major seventh

Answer

Dominant seventh

Answer

Augmented seventh

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a type of harmonic interval?

Accepted Answer

Melodic

Answer

Perfect

Answer

Major

Answer

Minor

Question 20

In music theory, what is the definition of a third?

Accepted Answer

The interval between two notes three scale steps apart

Answer

The interval between two notes two scale steps apart

Answer

The interval between two notes one scale step apart

Answer

The interval between two notes four scale steps apart

Question 21

In a major triad chord, what intervals are formed between the root note and the other two notes?

Accepted Answer

Major third and perfect fifth

Answer

Minor second and perfect fourth

Answer

Major second and minor seventh

Question 22

Identify the type of chord formed when the notes C, E, and G are played simultaneously.

Accepted Answer

Major triad

Answer

Minor triad

Answer

Diminished triad

Answer

Augmented triad

Question 23

In a chord progression, what is the typical function of a chord built on the second scale degree?

Accepted Answer

Subdominant

Answer

Leading Tone

Answer

Dominant

Answer

Tonic

Question 24

In a minor seventh chord, what interval is formed between the root and the highest note?

Accepted Answer

Major seventh

Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Minor ninth

Answer

Diminished third

Question 25

Which interval between the notes C and F is a perfect fourth?

Accepted Answer

C to F

Answer

C to G

Answer

C to E

Question 26

Identify the diminished triad from the following options:

Accepted Answer

B diminished

Answer

C major

Answer

G minor

Answer

F augmented

Question 27

Which type of cadence is present in this chord progression: I - ii - V - I - IV - V - I?

Accepted Answer

Authentic Cadence

Answer

Plagal Cadence

Answer

Deceptive Cadence

Answer

Half Cadence

Question 28

Who among these Baroque era composers or theorists significantly advanced the development of counterpoint?

Accepted Answer

Johann Sebastian Bach

Answer

Ludwig van Beethoven

Answer

Frederic Chopin

Answer

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Question 29

How do harmony and melody collaborate to create musical unity and expressiveness?

Accepted Answer

Harmony serves as a framework for the melody, enhancing its melodic contours and shaping its overall structure.

Answer

Melody dominates the composition, dictating the harmonic choices and limiting harmonic possibilities.

Answer

Harmony and melody operate independently, with minimal impact on each other's development or expressive qualities.

Question 30

How do melodic embellishments enhance the expressiveness of Baroque music?

Accepted Answer

They alter notes to convey emotions and create musical interest.

Answer

They add decorative elements without affecting the overall expressiveness.

Answer

They are improvised during performances and not written in the score.

Answer

They are exclusive to sacred music and not used in secular music.

Question 31

Identify the root position of a C major triad.

Accepted Answer

C-E-G

Answer

E-G-C

Answer

G-C-E

Answer

C-G-E

Question 32

Define the term that describes the simultaneous movement of two independent melodic lines in music.

Accepted Answer

Counterpoint

Answer

Harmony

Answer

Cadence

Answer

Chord

Question 33

What is the term for a dissonant interval that resolves to a consonant interval over time?

Accepted Answer

Suspension

Answer

Appoggiatura

Answer

Ornament

Answer

Passing tone

Question 34

What term describes a melodic interval that moves from a higher to a lower pitch?

Accepted Answer

Descending

Answer

Ascending

Answer

Augmented

Answer

Diminished

Question 35

Define the term that refers to a set of chords that establish a central pitch in music.

Accepted Answer

Key

Answer

Mode

Answer

Scale

Answer

Progression

Question 36

Which types of non-chord tones contribute to melodic tension and resolution? Describe their roles.

Accepted Answer

Appoggiatura, passing tone, and suspension

Answer

Appoggiatura and suspension only

Answer

Suspension and anticipation only

Answer

Harmonic and melodic escape tone

Question 37

What is the key difference between two-part and three-part counterpoint?

Accepted Answer

Number of independent melodies

Answer

Focus on consonant or dissonant intervals

Answer

Common textures used

Answer

Difficulty level in composition

Question 38

How do harmony and melody interact to create a cohesive and expressive musical composition?

Accepted Answer

Harmony and melody collaborate, enhancing and supporting each other's expressiveness.

Answer

Harmony provides the foundation, dictating the flow and structure of the melody.

Answer

Melody exists independently, complementing harmony without direct influence.

Answer

Counterpoint primarily determines both harmony and melody within a composition.

Question 39

In four-part voice leading, which voice typically carries the primary melody?

Accepted Answer

Soprano

Answer

Alto

Answer

Tenor

Answer

Bass

Question 40

What is the term for the technique of combining multiple melodies simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Polyphony

Answer

Monophony

Answer

Homophony

Answer

Heterophony

Question 41

Which of the following intervals is considered a dissonance in classical harmony?

Accepted Answer

Tritone

Answer

Major second

Answer

Minor third

Answer

Perfect fifth

Question 42

Which cadential progression provides a strong sense of resolution and finality?

Accepted Answer

V-I

Answer

IV-V-I

Answer

II-V-I

Answer

I-IV-V-I

Question 43

In a musical sequence, the repetition of a melodic or harmonic pattern is transposed by a specific:

Accepted Answer

Interval

Answer

Rhythm

Answer

Key

Answer

Instrumentation

Question 44

What is the term for a melody that moves independently against a main melody?

Accepted Answer

Counterpoint

Answer

Harmony

Answer

Canon

Answer

Fugue

Question 45

Which of the following intervals is dissonant?

Accepted Answer

Minor seventh

Answer

Major third

Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Major second

Question 46

In jazz improvisation, how does counterpoint contribute to the harmonic complexity of the music?

Accepted Answer

By creating independent melodic lines that interact and harmonize

Answer

By following strict adherence to traditional counterpoint rules

Answer

By limiting counterpoint to the bass line only

Answer

By avoiding the use of counterpoint to maintain harmonic simplicity

Question 47

How did the development of counterpoint enhance music during the Renaissance era?

Accepted Answer

It enabled more complex harmonies and independent rhythms.

Answer

It lessened the need for improvisation during performances.

Answer

It led to the use of larger groups and instruments.

Question 48

In music theory, what is the definition of harmonic rhythm?

Accepted Answer

The speed at which chords change in a musical progression

Answer

The rate at which a melody moves forward

Answer

The number of notes in a measure

Answer

The use of contrasting harmonies to create tension and release

Question 49

In Baroque music, which counterpoint technique presents the same melody at different pitches, often in different voices?

Accepted Answer

Canon

Answer

Inversion

Answer

Retrograde

Answer

Sequence

Question 50

What's a key feature of Renaissance polyphony?

Accepted Answer

Melodies that move independently

Answer

Parallel fifths and octaves

Answer

Lots of chromaticism

Answer

Focus on homophonic texture

Question 51

Which of the following intervals resolves downward?

Accepted Answer

Minor seventh

Answer

Major second

Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Tritone

Question 52

What is the term for the addition of notes that are not part of the prevailing harmony to a melody?

Accepted Answer

Embellishment

Answer

Counterpoint

Answer

Harmony

Answer

Transposition

Question 53

What is the name of the musical device that involves the stepwise movement of two voices in opposite directions?

Accepted Answer

Contrary motion

Answer

Cadence

Answer

Suspension

Answer

Trill

Question 54

Which of the following is a characteristic of Baroque counterpoint?

Accepted Answer

Imitation between voices

Answer

Use of parallel fifths and octaves

Answer

Emphasis on vertical dissonance

Answer

Use of simple rhythms

Question 55

What is the difference between a whole step and a half step in music?

Accepted Answer

A whole step is larger than a half step.

Answer

A half step is larger than a whole step.

Answer

A whole step is two half steps.

Answer

A whole step is three half steps.

Question 56

Which of the following is a common method of modulating to a closely related key?

Accepted Answer

Diatonic modulation

Answer

Chromatic modulation

Answer

Enharmonic modulation

Answer

Remote modulation

Question 57

What is the Italian term for a symbol that indicates a sudden increase in volume?

Accepted Answer

Crescendo

Answer

Decrescendo

Answer

Forte

Answer

Piano

Question 58

Which type of chord is constructed using the root, third, and fifth notes of a scale?

Accepted Answer

Triad

Answer

Ninth

Answer

Seventh

Answer

Eleventh

Question 59

Which interval consists of two half steps?

Accepted Answer

Minor second

Answer

Major third

Answer

Minor third

Answer

Major second

Question 60

The process of adding notes to a melody that are independent yet harmonically compatible is known as:

Accepted Answer

Counterpoint

Answer

Harmony

Answer

Inversion

Answer

Melody

Question 61

Which type of counterpoint involves two independent melodies that move in parallel motion?

Accepted Answer

Parallel counterpoint

Answer

Invertible counterpoint

Answer

Canonic counterpoint

Answer

Imitative counterpoint

Question 62

Which theorist is widely credited with developing the principles of modern counterpoint?

Accepted Answer

Johann Joseph Fux

Answer

Claudio Monteverdi

Answer

Josquin des Prez

Answer

Giovanni Palestrina

Question 63

In a musical composition, the section that provides a sense of closure and resolution is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Cadence

Answer

Exposition

Answer

Development

Answer

Recapitulation

Question 64

Which of the following intervals is a major triad?

Accepted Answer

1-3-5

Answer

1-2-5

Answer

1-4-6

Answer

1-3-4