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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Take the Basic Music Theory Quiz Today

Sharpen Your Music Theory Fundamentals Today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting musical notes and symbols for Basic Music Theory Quiz

Hello, I'm Joanna Weib - welcome to this basic music theory quiz that helps you master notes, scales, and chords. Whether you're just starting out or revisiting music theory fundamentals, these 15 multiple-choice questions will boost your confidence and skills. Students, educators, and self-learners can customize the quiz in our editor for their own needs. For more in-depth practice, check out the Music Theory Fundamentals Quiz or explore other quizzes.

What is the interval between C and G?
Perfect Fifth
Minor Third
Major Sixth
Perfect Fourth
C to G spans seven semitones, which defines a perfect fifth. This interval is foundational in tonal harmony and appears in many chord structures.
Which major key has two sharps in its key signature?
D Major
B Minor
G Major
A Major
D major has F♯ and C♯ in its key signature, totaling two sharps. B minor also has two sharps but the question asks specifically for the major key.
Which time signature represents four quarter-note beats per measure?
2/4
3/4
6/8
4/4
4/4 time means there are four quarter-note beats in each measure. It's also known as common time and is one of the most frequently used signatures.
In a major scale, what scale degree is the leading tone?
Seventh
Fifth
Second
Sixth
The leading tone is the seventh degree of a major scale, and it has a strong tendency to resolve upward to the tonic. This raised seventh gives the major scale its characteristic pull toward resolution.
What is the relative minor of C major?
D Minor
A Minor
E Minor
G Minor
A minor is the relative minor of C major; both share the same key signature of no sharps or flats. The relative minor starts on the sixth degree of the major scale.
Which chord progression in C major corresponds to I - IV - V?
C major â†' D minor â†' E minor
C major â†' E minor â†' D minor
C major â†' F major â†' G major
C major â†' A minor â†' G major
In C major, the I chord is C major, the IV chord is F major, and the V chord is G major. This progression is one of the most common in Western harmony.
Which major key has four flats in its key signature?
Aâ™ Major
Bâ™ Major
Eâ™ Minor
Dâ™ Major
Aâ™ major has Bâ™, Eâ™, Aâ™, and Dâ™, making four flats in its key signature. Eâ™ minor has six flats, Bâ™ major has two flats, and Dâ™ major has five flats.
Which accidentals appear in the key signature of E major?
F♯, C♯, D♯, A♯
F♯, G♯, D♯, B♯
F♯, C♯, G♯
F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯
E major's key signature contains four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯. Recognizing these accidentals is essential for quick identification of major keys.
What is the interval between A and F?
Perfect Fifth
Major Sixth
Minor Sixth
Minor Seventh
A to F spans eight semitones, which corresponds to a minor sixth. Counting letter names and semitones helps determine the correct interval quality.
Which of the following does NOT fit within one measure of 3/4 time?
One half note and one quarter note
Six eighth notes
Three quarter notes
Four quarter notes
Four quarter notes equal four beats, which exceeds the three beats allowed in 3/4 time. The other patterns each sum to exactly three beats.
In the bass clef, which pitch is on the top line?
G
F
B
A
The bass clef top line is A, reading from bottom to top as G, B, D, F, A. Memorizing these line pitches is key to quick clef reading.
Which chord most likely follows a V chord in C major to create a perfect authentic cadence?
ii chord
vi chord
I chord
IV chord
A perfect authentic cadence moves from V to I, providing strong resolution to tonic. This progression is fundamental for closing phrases.
In D major, what chords correspond to the progression ii - V - I?
E minor â†' A major â†' D major
F♯ minor â†' B major â†' E major
E minor â†' B major â†' G major
D minor â†' A minor â†' D major
In D major, the ii chord is E minor, V is A major, and I is D major. This ii - V - I progression is a staple in many styles of music.
What is the quality of the chord built on the second scale degree (ii) in a major key?
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Major
The ii chord in a major key is built with a root, minor third, and perfect fifth, making it a minor chord. It functions as a pre-dominant chord leading to V.
Which minor key has three sharps in its key signature?
D Minor
G Minor
C♯ Minor
F♯ Minor
F♯ minor is the relative minor of A major and shares its key signature of F♯, C♯, and G♯. C♯ minor has four sharps, while D minor and G minor have flats.
In G major, which sequence of chords corresponds to the progression vi - IV - I - V?
E minor â†' C major â†' G major â†' D major
G major â†' D major â†' E minor â†' C major
E minor â†' D major â†' G major â†' C major
C major â†' G major â†' D major â†' E minor
In G major the vi chord is E minor, IV is C major, I is G major, and V is D major. This popular progression appears in many contemporary songs.
If you hear a melodic interval spanning eight semitones, what interval is it?
Major Fifth
Minor Sixth
Perfect Fifth
Major Sixth
Eight semitones define a minor sixth interval. Recognizing semitone counts by ear is critical for accurate interval identification.
Which of the following shows the correct ascending F melodic minor scale?
F G A♠B♠C D♯ E F
F G Aâ™ Bâ™ C D Eâ™ F
F G Aâ™ Bâ™ C D E F
F G Aâ™ Bâ™ C Dâ™ Eâ™ F
The ascending F melodic minor scale raises the sixth and seventh degrees, yielding D and E natural. Other options show incorrect alterations on those scale degrees.
In 6/8 time, which note value receives one main beat?
Half Note
Dotted Quarter Note
Quarter Note
Eighth Note
6/8 is a compound duple meter where two main beats occur, each equal to a dotted quarter note. Each dotted quarter subdivides into three eighth notes.
In A minor, which chords form the progression i - VI - III - VII?
A minor â†' D minor â†' F major â†' E major
A minor â†' F major â†' C major â†' G major
A minor â†' C major â†' F major â†' E major
A minor â†' E major â†' C major â†' F major
In A minor the i chord is A minor, VI is F major, III is C major, and VII is G major. Recognizing these Roman numeral functions helps in harmonic analysis.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze chord progressions by ear
  2. Identify major and minor key signatures quickly
  3. Apply interval formulas to determine pitch relationships
  4. Demonstrate rhythm reading using common time signatures
  5. Master scale construction across different clefs
  6. Evaluate harmonic functions in simple melodies

Cheat Sheet

  1. Recognize the Three Primary Harmonic Functions - Explore how chords wear different hats: Tonic (restful home), Subdominant (gentle wanderer), and Dominant (drives tension). Learning which scale degrees build each function helps you analyze progressions by ear like a musical Sherlock. Dive into harmonic functions
  2. Identify Major and Minor Key Signatures Quickly - Train your eyes to spot the pattern of sharps or flats as fast as a magician pulls a rabbit from a hat! Remembering that two sharps means D major or B minor at a glance gives you superhuman sight-reading powers. With this quick skill, you'll breeze through sheet music like a pro.
  3. Apply Interval Formulas to Determine Pitch Relationships - Intervals stack scale degrees and half-steps to create major, minor, perfect, and exotic flavors; for instance, a major third spans four semitones. Mastering these formulas lets you instantly name the gap between any two notes. Get the scoop on intervals
  4. Demonstrate Rhythm Reading Using Common Time Signatures - Clap, tap, and groove through 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8 time to internalize pulse and meter like a human metronome. Counting out loud (1-&-2-&-3-&-4) will cement your sense of groove and keep you perfectly on beat.
  5. Master Scale Construction Across Different Clefs - Build major and minor scales on both treble and bass clefs to become a reading chameleon. For example, C major starts on middle C in treble, but drops an octave in the bass, giving you the freedom to tackle any piece.
  6. Evaluate Harmonic Functions in Simple Melodies - Listen to a melody and label each chord's function - Tonic, Subdominant, or Dominant - to unlock the roadmap of its harmonic journey. This detective work deepens your musical intuition. Review harmonic functions in practice
  7. Understand Harmonic Rhythm - Discover how often chords change in a piece: slow rhythms might swap chords every bar, while fast ones zoom through multiple changes per measure, shaping the song's energy. Monitoring harmonic rhythm boosts both analysis and performance. Explore harmonic rhythm
  8. Practice Ear Training for Chord Progressions - Turn your ears into chord-detecting radars by learning classic progressions like I - IV - V - I. Regular drills will sharpen your ability to predict the next chord and jam along effortlessly.
  9. Learn the Circle of Fifths - Spin through keys on this visual wheel to see how each key relates by perfect fifths, making modulation and transposition a breeze. Its circular format helps you memorize key signatures with ease.
  10. Utilize Mnemonics for Key Signatures - Arm yourself with catchy phrases like "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" to lock in the order of sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#). These memory tricks turn daunting lists into sing-along fun.
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