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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Take the Music Theory Knowledge Test

Sharpen Your Harmony and Rhythm Skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting musical notes and symbols for a Music Theory Knowledge Test quiz

Ready to dive into your musical education? This Music Theory Knowledge Test is perfect for students and educators looking to assess their grasp of harmony, scales, and rhythm. Whether you're prepping for a certification or just love a good music theory quiz, Music Theory Quiz enthusiasts will find this challenge both fun and enlightening. All questions are fully editable in our user-friendly editor - so you can tailor the test to your needs in minutes. Explore more quizzes or refine your skills with our Music Theory Fundamentals Quiz for a comprehensive overview.

How many sharps are in the key signature of G major?
0
1
3
2
G major has one sharp in its key signature, which is F#. No other sharps are added. This distinguishes it from keys with multiple sharps.
What is the interval from C to G?
Perfect Fifth
Perfect Fourth
Major Third
Minor Sixth
C to G spans seven semitones, which defines a perfect fifth. This interval is foundational in harmony and tuning. Other options either have too few or too many semitones.
Which note value equals one beat in 4/4 time?
Quarter note
Eighth note
Whole note
Half note
In 4/4 time, the quarter note receives one beat. A half note equals two beats and a whole note equals four. Eighth notes each receive half a beat.
Which mode has the same pattern as the major scale?
Phrygian
Dorian
Aeolian
Ionian
The Ionian mode is identical in interval structure (W-W-H-W-W-W-H) to the major scale. The other modes alter one or more intervals from that pattern. Thus Ionian is used interchangeably with 'major mode.'
What is the sequence of whole and half steps in a major scale?
W-H-W-W-H-W-W
W-W-W-H-W-W-H
W-W-H-W-W-W-H
H-W-W-H-W-W-W
The major scale follows the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half steps. This creates the familiar sound of the major scale. Other sequences correspond to different modes or scales.
What is the relative minor of C major?
B minor
E minor
A minor
D minor
A minor is the relative minor of C major because it shares the same key signature with no sharps or flats. It starts on the sixth scale degree of C major. Other choices have different key signatures.
In a I - IV - V progression in C major, what is the V chord?
D - F# - A
G - B - D
F - A - C
C - E - G
In C major, the V chord is built on the fifth scale degree, which is G. The chord tones are G - B - D. The IV chord is F - A - C and D - F# - A would be a secondary dominant, not part of the basic I - IV - V.
What is the interval from A to C?
Major Third
Tritone
Minor Third
Perfect Fourth
A to C spans three semitones, which defines a minor third interval. A major third would be four semitones. The perfect fourth and tritone are larger intervals.
How many eighth notes equal a dotted quarter note?
4
3
6
2
A dotted quarter note equals one quarter note plus half its value, totaling three eighth notes. Two eighth notes would be a quarter note, and four or six would exceed its duration.
Which mode is built by playing all white keys from D to D?
Mixolydian
Aeolian
D Dorian
Phrygian
The Dorian mode on D uses the white-key sequence from D to D, giving the interval pattern W-H-W-W-W-H-W. The other modes start on different degrees of the C major scale.
In the key of G major, which chord functions as the subdominant?
A minor
C major
E minor
D major
In G major, the IV chord, or subdominant, is C major (C - E - G). D major is the dominant, A minor is the ii chord, and E minor is the vi chord.
Which notes make up a C major pentatonic scale?
C, D, E, G, A
C, D, F, G, A
C, E, G, B, D
C, D, F, A, B
The major pentatonic scale omits the 4th and 7th degrees, yielding C, D, E, G, A. Other collections include either the 4th or 7th, which are not in the pentatonic form.
If a melody moves from E4 up to C5, what is the interval?
Perfect Fifth
Minor Sixth
Minor Seventh
Major Sixth
E4 to C5 spans eight semitones, which defines a minor sixth interval. A major sixth would be nine semitones. Perfect fifth and minor seventh are different sizes.
Transpose the melody C4 - D4 - E4 up a major second. What are the notes?
E4, F#4, G#4
D4, E4, F#4
C#4, D#4, E#4
B3, C#4, D#4
Transposing up a major second means each pitch moves up two semitones: C4â†'D4, D4â†'E4, E4â†'F#4. The other options either shift by incorrect intervals or alter accidentals incorrectly.
How many flats are in the Aâ™ major key signature?
4 flats
5 flats
2 flats
3 flats
Aâ™ major has four flats: Bâ™, Eâ™, Aâ™, and Dâ™. Three or two flats correspond to other keys, and five flats belong to Dâ™ major.
In F♯ harmonic minor, which scale degree is raised compared to the natural minor?
2nd degree (G#)
6th degree (D#)
3rd degree (A#)
7th degree (E#)
The harmonic minor raises the 7th degree of the natural minor to create a leading tone; in F♯ minor that raises E to E#. The other degrees remain as in the natural minor scale.
In the progression I - V/V - V - I in C major, what is the V/V chord?
G major
D major
A major
E major
V/V is the secondary dominant of the V chord (G major). The dominant of G is D major (D - F# - A). A major or E major do not function as the dominant of G in diatonic harmony.
What is the interval from G3 to B4?
Minor Seventh
Perfect Eleventh
Augmented Ninth
Major Tenth
G3 to G4 is an octave, then G4 to B4 is a major third, combining to a major tenth (an octave plus a third). The other names correspond to different compound intervals.
A rhythmic pattern consists of quarter - eighth - eighth - quarter - eighth notes. Which time signature fits this grouping?
4/4
6/8
5/8
7/8
The pattern sums to seven eighth-note beats (2+1+1+2+1). This matches 7/8 time. Five or six eighth-note beats fit 5/8 or 6/8, and 4/4 is based on quarter-note counts.
The note on the middle line of the alto clef is transposed up one octave into treble clef. Which pitch and position does it occupy?
C5 on the second line
C5 on the third space
C4 on the third space
C6 on the top line
The middle line of alto clef is C4. Transposed up one octave becomes C5, which in treble clef sits on the third space. Other positions or octaves are incorrect.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key signatures and modes with accuracy.
  2. Analyse chord progressions and harmonic functions.
  3. Evaluate intervals and scale structures in music.
  4. Apply rhythmic notation and time signature knowledge.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of melodic dictation.
  6. Master transposition across different clefs.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Key Signatures and Modes - Get ready to conquer sharps and flats by mastering all major and minor key signatures, then spice things up by exploring modes like Dorian and Mixolydian. Use mnemonics like "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" for sharps and reverse it for flats to make your learning stick. Practice identifying these on the staff through fun drills to boost your musical confidence! Music Theory 101: Key Signatures
  2. Analyze Chord Progressions and Harmonic Functions - Dive into classic progressions like I - IV - V - I to see how they create musical journeys full of tension and release. Practice spotting these patterns in your favorite songs and play along to feel the harmonic flow in real time. This will sharpen your ears and help you predict what comes next before it even happens! Chord Progressions
  3. Evaluate Intervals and Scale Structures - Level up your ear by counting half steps to identify intervals from perfect fifths to augmented fourths. Understanding qualities like major, minor, diminished, and augmented will turn you into a melody and harmony detective. Try quizzing yourself with flashcards or apps for extra ear-training fun! Intervals
  4. Apply Rhythmic Notation and Time Signatures - Groove through different meters such as 4/4, jaunty 3/4 waltzes, and lilting 6/8 tunes to feel how time signatures shape a piece's personality. Practice writing syncopated rhythms and tricky tuplets to build your rhythmic vocabulary. Soon you'll be tapping your foot in perfect time like a pro drummer! Time Signatures
  5. Demonstrate Understanding of Melodic Dictation - Sharpen your ear by transcribing melodies straight from your headphones onto the staff, starting with simple tunes and graduating to complex ear candy. This exercise boosts your pitch recognition and rhythmic accuracy, turning you into an aural superstar. Keep a notebook handy and celebrate each successful dictation! Melodic Dictation
  6. Master Transposition Across Different Clefs - Travel between treble, bass, alto, and tenor clefs to unlock the secrets of orchestral scores and choral arrangements. Practice shifting melodies and chords up or down by various intervals to become a transposition wizard. With this skill, you'll confidently adapt any piece for any ensemble! Clefs
  7. Understand Scale Degrees and Their Functions - Learn the names and roles of scale degrees - tonic, supertonic, mediant, and friends - to decode how melodies and harmonies are built. Knowing these functions gives you a roadmap for composing and analyzing music with ease. It's like having insider knowledge of your favorite songs! Scale Degrees
  8. Recognize Common Cadences - Identify authentic, plagal, half, and deceptive cadences to feel when music says "the end" or teases you to keep listening. Practicing these will train your ears to anticipate phrase endings and phrase starts like a musical detective. Soon you'll be predicting the next chord before it even happens! Cadences
  9. Develop Sight-Reading Skills - Challenge yourself daily by sight-reading new pieces to boost your ability to interpret rhythm, pitch, and dynamics on the fly. Focus on keeping a steady beat and scanning ahead instead of getting stuck mid-bar. Over time, your reading speed and confidence will skyrocket! Sight-Reading
  10. Explore Musical Form and Structure - Dive into forms like binary, ternary, and sonata to see how composers build pieces that feel balanced and engaging. Analyzing these structures will help you predict musical twists and turns and craft your own compositions with solid frameworks. It's the blueprint behind every great symphony and pop hit! Musical Form
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