Music Theory Basics

Question 1

What are the seven natural notes in music?

Answer 1

A, B, C, D, E, F, G

Question 2

True or False: A whole note is worth four beats.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The distance between two notes is called a _____.

Answer 3

interval

Question 4

What is the symbol for a sharp note?

Answer 4

#

Question 5

What is the term for a flat note?

Answer 5

A note lowered by a half step.

Question 6

Which note is the tonic in the C major scale?

Answer 6

C

Question 7

Multiple choice: How many sharps are in the key of D major? A) No sharps B) 2 sharps C) 3 sharps

Answer 7

B) 2

Question 8

What does a time signature indicate?

Answer 8

The number of beats in a measure and the note value that receives one beat.

Question 9

True or False: A treble clef is used for higher-pitched instruments.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What is the purpose of a key signature?

Answer 10

To indicate the key of the piece by showing which notes are sharp or flat.

Question 11

Which note has no sharps or flats in its key signature?

Answer 11

C major

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The _____ is a symbol that raises a note by a half step.

Answer 12

sharp

Question 13

What is the name of the scale that consists of five notes?

Answer 13

Pentatonic scale

Question 14

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a musical term? A) Fermata B) Tierce de Picardie C) Othello

Answer 14

C) Othello

Question 15

True or False: The bass clef is used for lower-pitched instruments.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What is the term for a group of sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff?

Answer 16

Key signature

Question 17

What is the interval between C and E?

Answer 17

Major third

Question 18

Fill in the blank: A _____ is a series of notes that are played or sung in succession.

Answer 18

melody

Question 19

What does the term ‘tempo’ refer to?

Answer 19

The speed at which a piece of music is played.

Question 20

Multiple choice: How many beats does a dotted quarter note receive? A) 1 1/2 B) 2 C) 4

Answer 20

A) 1 1/2

Question 21

True or False: A scale is a sequence of notes in ascending or descending order.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

What is the function of a time signature?

Answer 22

To show how many beats are in each measure.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the lowest note in a scale.

Answer 23

root

Question 24

What is the name of the raised seventh note in a harmonic minor scale?

Answer 24

Leading tone

Question 25

Multiple choice: What does a Fermata symbol indicate? A) To play loudly B) To hold a note longer C) To repeat

Answer 25

B) To hold a note longer

Question 26

True or False: The chromatic scale includes all twelve pitches within an octave.

Answer 26

True