Basic Music Theory Quiz! Trivia

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1. Two sixteenth notes are the equivalent of

Explanation

Two sixteenth notes are the equivalent of one eighth note. In musical notation, a sixteenth note is a note value that represents 1/16th of a whole note. Therefore, two sixteenth notes combined would equal 2/16th of a whole note, which simplifies to 1/8th of a whole note, also known as an eighth note.

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About This Quiz
Basic Music Theory Quiz! Trivia - Quiz


Does the thought of music theory have you humming a tune in delight? Music theory is a practice that musicians use to appreciate and communicate the language of... see moremusic. Musical theory reviews the basics of music. It also gives a system to interpret musical arrangements. For example, basic music theory characterizes the elements that create harmony, melody, and cadence. This quiz will get you into the rhythm of basic music theory. see less

2. What note is a perfect fifth interval above C?

Explanation

G is five steps above C.

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3. Which of the following is the correct term for a note that is an 8th above another note?

Explanation

The octave is the 8th above or below the note.

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4. What does the top number in the time signature indicate?

Explanation

The top number in a time signature indicates how many beats are in each measure. A time signature is used in music notation to specify the number of beats in each measure and the type of note that receives one beat. The top number represents the number of beats, while the bottom number represents the type of note. Therefore, the correct answer is "How many beats per measure."

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5. Which of the following markings would affect the length of a note?

Explanation

The dot adds half of the note's original length to the total length of the note. For example, a dotted half note is 3 1/4 notes in length.

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6. What note is a perfect fourth interval above A?

Explanation

A perfect fourth interval above A is the note D. In music theory, a perfect fourth is a musical interval that spans four notes in the diatonic scale. Starting from A and counting four notes up, we land on D.

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7. What note is a minor 3rd interval above C?

Explanation

A minor 3rd interval above C means moving 3 half steps up from C. Starting from C, counting 3 half steps up, we land on Eb. Therefore, Eb is the correct answer as it is a minor 3rd interval above C.

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8. The key signature of Bb (B flat major) has 3 flats

Explanation

The key signature of Bb (B flat major) actually has 2 flats, not 3. The key signature of Bb major consists of Bb and Eb, which are the two flats. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

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9. The key signature of B (major) has 5 sharps

Explanation

The key signature of B major has 5 sharps because in the B major scale, the notes B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, and A# are all raised by a half step. These raised notes are represented by sharps in the key signature. Since there are 5 notes that need to be raised in the B major scale, the key signature of B major has 5 sharps.

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10. How would the chord (with notes from lowest to highest) : C E G B be classified?

Explanation

Since all of the notes are in the C-major scale and the top note is a 7th, it is a major 7th chord.

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11. If the time signature is 3/4, which note takes one full beat?

Explanation

In a time signature of 3/4, there are three beats in each measure and the quarter note receives one full beat. This means that the quarter note is the note that lasts for the entire duration of one beat.

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12. In 4/4 time, which note receives one full beat?

Explanation

In 4/4 time, the top number indicates that there are four beats per measure, and the bottom number indicates that the quarter note receives one beat. Therefore, the correct answer is the quarter note, as it is the note that receives one full beat in this time signature.

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13. If the time signature is 6/8, which note takes one full beat?

Explanation

In a time signature of 6/8, there are 6 eighth notes in each measure. This means that each eighth note takes one full beat. The other note options, such as the half note, sixteenth note, and thirty-second note, do not align with the time signature and would not take one full beat.

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14. B minor is the relative minor to Eb major

Explanation

B minor is the relative minor D major

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15. A major 3rd interval is equivalent to two whole steps above the root

Explanation

A major 3rd interval is equivalent to two whole steps above the root. This means that if we start on a certain note (the root), and move up by two whole steps, we will reach a major 3rd interval. Therefore, the statement is true.

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16. What is the relative minor scale to G major?

Explanation

A relative minor scale has the same key signature as the relative major but is a minor scale.

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17. E major in its first inversion would be

Explanation

The given answer, G# B E, represents E major in its first inversion. In a first inversion, the root note (E) is moved up an octave, resulting in the notes G#, B, and E. This creates a different tonal quality compared to the standard E major chord, as the third (G#) becomes the bass note.

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18. Match the following chords in the key of E Major to their numerical equivalent
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19. How many sharps are in the scale F# (sharp) major?

Explanation

The scale of F# major has six sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, and E#. In the key signature of F# major, each of these notes is raised by a half step, or a sharp. Therefore, the correct answer is 6.

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20. The A major chord is the V (5) chord in the key of

Explanation

The A major chord is the V (5) chord in the key of D. In music theory, the V chord is known as the dominant chord and it has a strong tendency to resolve to the I (tonic) chord. In the key of D, the V chord is A major, which consists of the notes A, C#, and E. This chord creates tension and leads the listener's ear back to the D major chord, providing a sense of resolution and stability.

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21. What does the lower number in the time signature indicate?

Explanation

The bottom number indicates what type of note "gets the beat." For example, in 4/4 time, the 1/4th or quarter note is one beat.

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22. What note is a major seventh interval above E?

Explanation

The note that is a major seventh interval above E is D#. In music theory, a major seventh interval consists of 11 half steps or semitones. Starting from E and counting up 11 half steps, we arrive at D#. Therefore, D# is the correct answer.

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23. Match the number of sharps or flats with the corresponding major key
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24. How would the chord (with notes from lowest to highest) : B D F# A be classified?

Explanation

Since all of the notes are in the C-major scale and the top note is a 7th, it is a major 7th chord.

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25. What would the dominant chord be in the key of A major?

Explanation

EG#B makes up the E major chord- the dominant 5 chord in the key of A major.

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Two sixteenth notes are the equivalent of
What note is a perfect fifth interval above C?
Which of the following is the correct term for a note that is an 8th...
What does the top number in the time signature indicate?
Which of the following markings would affect the length of a note?
What note is a perfect fourth interval above A?
What note is a minor 3rd interval above C?
The key signature of Bb (B flat major) has 3 flats
The key signature of B (major) has 5 sharps
How would the chord (with notes from lowest to highest) : C E G B be...
If the time signature is 3/4, which note takes one full beat?
In 4/4 time, which note receives one full beat?
If the time signature is 6/8, which note takes one full beat?
B minor is the relative minor to Eb major
A major 3rd interval is equivalent to two whole steps above the root
What is the relative minor scale to G major?
E major in its first inversion would be
Match the following chords in the key of E Major to their numerical...
How many sharps are in the scale F# (sharp) major?
The A major chord is the V (5) chord in the key of
What does the lower number in the time signature indicate?
What note is a major seventh interval above E?
Match the number of sharps or flats with the corresponding major key
How would the chord (with notes from lowest to highest) : B D F# A be...
What would the dominant chord be in the key of A major?
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