Keyboard Music Theory Rudiments! Trivia Quiz
If you are a music student one of the things you should be able to explain on the go is the basic music theory rudiments that form the base for the arts. This is a quiz on all the basic rudiments of the keyboard including notes, semitones, tones, intervals, rhythm, triads, major/minor keys, etc. Give it a shot and see just how much you know.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What does enharmonic mean?
- A.
Two notes that have the same amount of beats.
- B.
A note that is equivalent to another note, but has a different name or spelling.
- C.
Is a type of interval.
- D.
Is a type of triad.
- E.
Is a whole tone between two notes
Correct Answer
B. A note that is equivalent to another note, but has a different name or spelling.Explanation
Enharmonic refers to two notes that are played at the same pitch but have different names or spellings. This means that they are written differently on sheet music, but when played, they produce the same sound. For example, C# (C sharp) and Db (D flat) are enharmonic notes because they are played at the same pitch on a piano keyboard, but they have different names. Similarly, Fb (F flat) and E are enharmonic notes. The term "enharmonic" is used to describe this relationship between notes with different names but the same pitch.Rate this question:
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- 2.
To pause; hold the rest or note longer than its written value.
- A.
Allegretto
- B.
Andante
- C.
Cantabile
- D.
Forte
- E.
Fermata
Correct Answer
E. FermataExplanation
A fermata is a symbol used in music notation to indicate that a note or rest should be held longer than its written value. It acts as a pause or hold, allowing the performer to sustain the sound or silence for an extended period of time. This symbol is often placed above or below the note or rest, and it is typically left to the performer's interpretation as to how long to hold the pause.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A minor triad built above the tonic is labelled with the ________________ Roman Numeral.(lowercase or uppercase?)
Correct Answer
lowercase
lower
lower caseExplanation
The minor triad built above the tonic is labeled with a lowercase Roman numeral. This is because in Roman numeral notation, lowercase letters are used to represent minor chords, while uppercase letters represent major chords. Therefore, the correct answer is lowercase.Rate this question:
- 4.
When the stem is pointing down on a note, which side of the note should it be placed?
- A.
Left
- B.
Right
Correct Answer
A. LeftExplanation
When the stem is pointing down on a note, it should be placed on the left side of the note. This is because the stem direction is determined by the position of the notehead on the staff. When the notehead is below the third line of the staff, the stem should point upwards and be placed on the right side. Conversely, when the notehead is above the third line, the stem should point downwards and be placed on the left side. This standard notation convention helps to maintain consistency and readability in musical scores.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What is meant by da Capo, DC?
- A.
Repeating till the 'DC'
- B.
Repeating to the line
- C.
Repeating from the beginning
Correct Answer
C. Repeating from the beginningExplanation
Da Capo, often abbreviated as DC, is an Italian musical term that translates to "from the beginning." It indicates that the music should be repeated from the very start. This instruction is commonly found in sheet music and is used to guide performers on how to play a particular piece. By repeating from the beginning, musicians can ensure that the entire composition is played again, allowing for a full and complete performance.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The dominant note of g major is ____________
Correct Answer
DExplanation
The dominant note of G major is D. In the key of G major, the dominant note is the fifth note of the scale, which is D. In music theory, the dominant note is an important note that creates tension and leads back to the tonic, which is G in this case. So, in G major, the dominant note is D.Rate this question:
- 7.
What is a chromatic semitone?
- A.
The semitone uses two notes with the same lettername.
- B.
The semitone uses two notes with different names.
- C.
This semitone uses the notes only in C Major
Correct Answer
A. The semitone uses two notes with the same lettername.Explanation
A chromatic semitone refers to a musical interval that is equivalent to one half step or one key on a piano. In this case, the correct answer is "The semitone uses two notes with the same lettername." This means that the two notes involved in a chromatic semitone have the same letter name but may have different accidentals, such as C and C#. This is in contrast to a diatonic semitone, which uses two notes with different letter names, such as C and Db.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What is a diatonic semitone?
- A.
The semitone uses two notes with the same lettername.
- B.
This semitone uses the notes only in D Major
- C.
The semitone uses two notes with different names.
Correct Answer
C. The semitone uses two notes with different names.Explanation
A diatonic semitone refers to a musical interval where two notes with different names are used. In other words, it is a half step that occurs between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale. This is in contrast to a chromatic semitone, where two notes with the same letter name are used. In the context of the given options, the correct answer is "The semitone uses two notes with different names."Rate this question:
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- 9.
What are the ledger lines?
- A.
Ledger lines are short lines that extend the range of the staff
- B.
Ledger lines are long lines that tell you to repeat the notes
- C.
Ledger lines are long lines that are beside the staff
Correct Answer
A. Ledger lines are short lines that extend the range of the staffExplanation
Ledger lines are short lines that extend the range of the staff. In music notation, the staff is a set of horizontal lines and spaces where musical notes are placed. However, the staff has a limited range, and when notes fall outside of this range, ledger lines are used to extend it. Ledger lines are placed above or below the staff and provide additional lines and spaces to notate higher or lower pitches. They allow musicians to notate and read notes that are beyond the normal range of the staff.Rate this question:
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- 10.
A major has 3 sharps: F# C# G#. True or False?
Correct Answer
True
trueExplanation
The major key with 3 sharps includes the notes F#, C#, and G#. Therefore, the statement is true.Rate this question:
- 11.
What is the major third interval of E?
- A.
G
- B.
G#
- C.
Gb
Correct Answer
B. G#Explanation
The major third interval of E is G#. In music theory, a major third is two whole steps or four half steps above the starting note. Starting from E, the note two whole steps or four half steps above is G#. Therefore, G# is the correct answer for the major third interval of E.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What is the minor 6th interval of E?
- A.
C
- B.
C#
- C.
Cb
Correct Answer
A. CExplanation
The minor 6th interval of E is C. In music theory, a minor 6th interval consists of 8 half steps or semitones. Counting 8 half steps from E, we reach C, making it the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Harmonic intervals notes are played at the same time and melodic notes are when one note follows another. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The explanation for the correct answer, which is True, is that harmonic intervals involve playing two or more notes simultaneously, while melodic intervals involve playing one note after another. Therefore, the statement that harmonic intervals are played at the same time and melodic intervals are played when one note follows another is correct.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Con pedal, Ped
- A.
Piano
- B.
With pedal
- C.
Hold pedal throughout the song
- D.
Sweet, gentle
Correct Answer
B. With pedalExplanation
In this context, the phrase "with pedal" means that the piano should be played using the sustain pedal. The instruction to "hold pedal throughout the song" indicates that the pedal should be pressed down and held for the entire duration of the piece. This technique allows the notes to ring out and creates a smooth and sustained sound. The words "sweet" and "gentle" suggest that the overall tone and dynamics of the performance should be delicate and soft.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Moderately slow; at a walking pace
- A.
Andante
- B.
Adagio
- C.
Cantabile
- D.
Allegro
Correct Answer
A. AndanteExplanation
Andante is a musical term that indicates a moderately slow tempo, often described as "at a walking pace." This term is commonly used in sheet music to guide musicians on how to play a piece of music. The other options, adagio, cantabile, and allegro, all refer to different tempos in music, but they do not specifically describe a moderately slow tempo like andante does. Therefore, andante is the correct answer in this context.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Fairly fast ( a little slower than allegro)
- A.
Andantino
- B.
Accent
- C.
Larghetto
- D.
Allegretto
Correct Answer
D. AllegrettoExplanation
The given correct answer is "allegretto." Allegretto is a musical term indicating a moderately fast tempo, slightly slower than allegro. It is faster than andantino and larghetto, and it is often characterized by a lively and joyful mood.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The notes for f# minor scale are...
- A.
F# g# a b c# d# e f#
- B.
F# g# a b c# d e f#
- C.
F# g a# b c d e f#
Correct Answer
B. F# g# a b c# d e f#Explanation
The correct answer is f# g# a b c# d e f#. This is the correct sequence of notes for the f# minor scale. The f# minor scale consists of the notes f#, g#, a, b, c#, d, and e. The repetition of the f# at the end of the sequence indicates that the scale starts and ends on f#.Rate this question:
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- 18.
What are the notes for the f# melodic minor scale?
- A.
F# g# a b c# d# f f#
- B.
F# g# a b c d# f f#
- C.
F# g# a b c# d f f#
- D.
F# g a b c# d# f f#
Correct Answer
A. F# g# a b c# d# f f#Explanation
The correct answer is "f# g# a b c# d# f f#". This is the correct sequence of notes for the f# melodic minor scale. The melodic minor scale is a scale that is often used in jazz and classical music, and it is characterized by its unique pattern of whole and half steps. In the f# melodic minor scale, the notes are f#, g#, a, b, c#, d#, f, and f#.Rate this question:
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- 19.
What are the notes for b harmonic minor scale?
- A.
B c d e f# g a# b
- B.
B c# d e f g a b
- C.
B c# d e f# g a# b
Correct Answer
C. B c# d e f# g a# bExplanation
The correct answer is b c# d e f# g a# b. The b harmonic minor scale consists of the following notes: b, c#, d, e, f#, g, and a#. This scale is derived from the natural minor scale, but with a raised seventh degree, which is why the note a# is included. The other two options either have incorrect notes or do not include the raised seventh degree, making them incorrect.Rate this question:
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- 20.
- A.
C minor, g minor, d minor, a minor, e minor, b minor, f minor, c minor
- B.
C Major, D Major, G Major, A Major, E Major, B Major, F Major, C Major
- C.
C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, E Major, B Major, F# Major, C# Major
- D.
C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, E Major, B Major, F Major, C Major
Correct Answer
C. C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, E Major, B Major, F# Major, C# Major -
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