Music Theory MCQs
Music Theory MCQs
These Music Theory multiple-choice questions and their answers will help you strengthen your grip on the subject of Music Theory. You can prepare for an upcoming exam or job interview with these Music Theory MCQs.
So scroll down and start answering.
1: Which word means the speed at which a piece is played?
A. Tempo
B. Volume
C. Time
D. Theme
E. Tutti
2: What major key has 4 sharps?
A. E
B. A
C. B
D. D
3: The variation of the pitch of a note up and down over time is called?
A. Tenuto
B. Lento
C. Sforzando
D. Vibrato
E. Tremolo
4: The C note that is closest to the middle of a keyboard or piano is called what?
A. Average C
B. High C
C. Low C
D. Normal C
E. Middle C
5: 3/4 is an example of a ______ meter.
A. triple
B. quadruple
C. duple
D. single
6: How many beats does the whole note have in a 4/4 time signature?
A. 3
B. 1
C. 4
D. 1/2
E. 2
7: A whole note note is equivalent to __ half notes.
A. 4
B. 2
C. 1
D. 3
8: What is the longest note in common use?
A. Whole note
B. Quarter note
C. Half note
D. Pause
E. Whole tone
9: The oboe is part of the _________group of instruments
A. woodwind
B. melody
C. brass
D. percussion
E. harmony
10: If sheet music instructed you to be short and detached, what word would be used?
A. tenuto
B. staccato
C. dominant
D. stretto
E. subdominant
11: Which of these is a C major chord?
A. C E G
B. C Ab Eb
C. C E G#
D. C Eb G
12: A short piece played between the verses of a song is called a(n):
A. Ionian mode.
B. Forza.
C. Interlude.
D. Interval.
E. Grandzza.
13: The Pentatonic Scale contains _ notes.
A. 7
B. 5
C. 4
D. 9
14: "Common time" refers to:
A. 12/8
B. 2/2
C. 4/4
D. 3/4
15: What is the term for choral music performed without accompaniment?
A. Allegretto
B. A capella
C. Andante
D. Accidental
E. A cadena
16: What is a duet?
A. Two compositions played in harmony
B. A composition with two movements
C. A composition for two players or voices
D. A composition with three movements
E. A composition for three players or voices
17: A quarter note is equivalent to __ sixteenth notes.
A. 3
B. 2
C. 8
D. 4
18: What does poco mean in musical terms?
A. Very
B. Precise
C. Hurried
D. The note E
E. Little
19: If you were told to sing sotto voce, how would you sing?
A. In a high pitch
B. In a soft voice
C. With emphasis
D. Quicker
E. Slowly
20: IV can also be called the _______.
A. mediant
B. supertonic
C. submediant
D. subdominant
21: V can also be called the _______.
A. subdominant
B. tonic
C. dominant
D. mediant
22: 2/4 is an example of a ______ meter.
A. simple quadruple
B. compound duple
C. simple duple
D. compound triple
23: What is 3 half steps above B Flat?
A. D Flat or C Sharp
B. G Flat or A Sharp
C. D Sharp or A Flat
D. E Flat or F
24: What is the inverted interval of minor third?
A. Major 6th
B. Perfect 4th
C. Minor 2nd
D. Perfect 5th
25: What does a Major 6th invert to?
A. Perfect 4th
B. minor 3rd
C. Major 2nd
D. diminished 5th
26: What does a curved line spanning notes of differing pitch indicate in a music score?
A. None of these
B. Dynamic Change
C. Slurring / Phrasing
D. Pitch Change
E. Tempo Change
27: 12/8 is an example of a ______ meter.
A. simple triple
B. compound triple
C. simple quadruple
D. compound quadruple
28: What is an operetta?
A. An opera with only 2 parts
B. An opera with no instrumentals
C. An opera with only one part
D. A short opera
E. An opera performed for a small crowd
29: If you lower a C by one semitone, what note do you get?
A. B sharp
B. B flat
C. C sharp
D. B
E. A flat
30: What is a picardy third?
A. The third in a dominant 7th chord
B. A raised third at the end of a minor/modal piece
C. A major third
D. A minor third
31: 4/4 is an example of a ______ meter.
A. single
B. duple
C. triple
D. quadruple
32: What pitch is a major second above C?
A. F
B. D
C. G
D. E
33: A ledger line is used for what purpose?
A. To draw sharps and flats
B. To add notes that exceed the limits of the staff
C. To underscore the Treble Clef
D. To show where a composition ends
E. To indicate changes of tempo
34: Define the picardy third.
A. An entire section that sets the third scale degree as its tonic.
B. A chord change that takes place on the "and" of the third beat.
C. The third note in a four note passage that is a non-harmonic tone.
D. A raised third on the final cadence of a piece that is in either a modal or minor key.
35: What is the relative minor of G major?
A. E minor.
B. A minor.
C. D minor.
D. B minor.
36: "Cut time" refers to:
A. 2/2
B. 3/4
C. 4/2
D. 4/4
37: E major has __ sharps.
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 5
38: To make a minor chord where the root note is an A, the third would be a:
A. C sharp
B. B sharp
C. B
D. C flat
E. C
39: A playful, humorous instrumental composition is called a what?
A. Scherzo
B. Staccato
C. Serenade
D. Septet
E. Symphony
40: The major third of B is:
A. Eb
B. Db
C. E#
D. D#
E. E
41: Describe the following chord: D F A C
A. D Minor 7 Flat 5
B. D Dominant 7
C. D Minor 7
D. D Minor Major 7
E. D Major 7
42: A dotted eighth note is equivalent to __ sixteenth notes.
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 5
43: What is the relative minor key of A major?
A. F# min
B. E min
C. Bb min
D. G min
E. C# min
44: For a triad in 1st inversion, which note is on the bottom?
A. Root
B. 5th
C. 3rd
45: 9/8 is an example of a ______ meter.
A. simple quadruple
B. compound quadruple
C. simple triple
D. compound triple
46: Describe the following chord: C Eb Gb Bb
A. C Major 7
B. C Minor 7 Flat 5
C. C Dominant 7
D. C Minor 7
E. C Minor Major 7
47: Common practice musical genres came in which order?
A. Romantic, Classical, Baroque.
B. Baroque, Romantic, Classical.
C. Classical, Romantic, Baroque.
D. Classical, Baroque, Romantic.
E. Baroque, Classical, Romantic.
48: B flat major has ___ flats.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
49: What is polytonality?
A. The musical use of two or more conflicting rhythms.
B. The musical use of more than one key simultaneously.
C. The musical use of more than one key throughout a piece.
D. The musical use of more than one instrument group simultaneously (e.g. woodwinds & brass together).
50: What is the meaning of the term 'largo'?
A. Slow and stately
B. Slow and gradually getting softer
C. Slow and with passion
51: The root of the Lydian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 4th
B. 5th
C. 2nd
D. 1st
52: The root of the Dorian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 2nd
B. 7th
C. 4th
D. 3rd
53: E flat major has __ flats.
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 5
54: Pick the diminshed chord from the combinations below
A. C E Gb
B. C E G#
C. G Bb Db
D. F Ab C#
E. B D# F#
55: Equal Temperament is
A. A system of tuning
B. Instructions to the musicians
C. A system of regulation for rhythm
D. A system for keeping a musician's temper
E. A system of notation
56: What are the notes of a B dominant 7th chord?
A. B D# F# A#
B. B D# F# A
C. B D F# A
D. B D F A
57: What is a Tritone?
A. a diminished 7th
B. a perfect 4th
C. (none of these)
D. a minor 6th
E. An augmented 4th
58: A tritone is the same interval as ________.
A. An augmented Fourth
B. Three semitones
C. A minor third
D. A diminished triad
59: "Plagal cadence" usually refers to what progression?
A. VI - V
B. IV - I
C. III - I
D. V - VI
60: The root of the Aeolian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 3rd
B. 6th
C. 4th
D. 7th
61: For a triad in 2nd inversion, which note is on the bottom?
A. 3rd
B. Root
C. 5th
62: The root of the Locrian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 2nd
B. 7th
C. 1st
D. 4th
63: A dominant 7th chord contains a:
A. minor 7th
B. major 7th
64: The root of the Mixolydian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 5th
B. 3rd
C. 4th
D. 6th
65: Which of these voice movements are considered better practice in traditional 4 part counterpoint?
A. Parallel 3rds
B. Parallel 8ths
C. Parallel Octaves
D. Parallel 5ths
66: What notes make up an F Minor Major Seventh chord?
A. F A C E
B. F Ab C Eb
C. F A C Eb
D. F Ab C E
E. F A C# E
67: The root of the Phrygian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 6th
B. 1st
C. 4th
D. 3rd
68: Which mode is also the Natural Minor Scale?
A. Lydian
B. Aeolian
C. Stygian
D. Phrygian
E. Dorian
69: What major key has 4 flats?
A. A flat
B. D flat
C. E flat
D. B flat
70: The root of the Ionian mode corresponds to which note in the Major scale?
A. 6th
B. 5th
C. 3rd
D. 1st
71: What minor key has 2 sharps?
A. b
B. c sharp
C. e
D. f sharp
72: The fourth mode of the G major scale is?
A. C Mixolydian
B. D Mixolydian
C. D Lydian
D. C Lydian
73: The thirds in a dominant seventh chord ascend in this order:
A. minor-minor-Major
B. Major-minor
C. Major-minor-minor
D. minor-Major-minor
74: The Treble Clef most directly indicates where the:
A. G note is positioned on the staff
B. Alto Range begins
C. Middle C is positioned on the staff
D. Where the piano notes are read
75: In 3rd species counterpoint, on what beat can a dissonant interval be used?
A. 4th beat
B. really lazy beat
C. weak beat
D. strong beat
E. 1st beat
76: Pick the major 4th
A. Bb F
B. Gbb Cb
C. A C
D. C# F#
E. G Eb
77: "Neapolitan" chord has____ function?
A. supertonic
B. tonic
C. dominant
78: In alto clef, where does the C-clef appear?
A. Fifth line of the staff
B. First line of the staff
C. Fourth line of the staff
D. Second line of the staff
E. Third line of the staff
79: What is classical sonata form?
A. A B A'
B. development-exposition-recapitulation
C. A B A
D. exposition-development-recapitulation
80: What major key has 6 flats?
A. D flat
B. E flat
C. G flat
D. C flat
81: Which of the following forms best describes a "Rondo"
A. AABB
B. ABACABA
C. ABA-Trio
D. ABA
82: What are the notes that make up an A Dominant 9th chord?
A. A C# E G# B
B. A C# E G B
C. A C E G B
D. A C# E G Bb
83: What is a secondary dominant?
A. the IV of V
B. the VII of V
C. the III of V
D. the V of V
E. the II of V
84: Identify the modes of the major scale that utilize a major chord on their root.
A. Lydian, Phrygian, Mixolydian.
B. Aeolian, Dorian, Locrian.
C. Ionian, Mixolydian, Lydian.
D. Ionian, Dorian, Locrian.
E. Mixolydian, Lydian, Dorian.
85: In traditional 4-part voice-leading, which of the following terms is NOT considered an error?
A. Parallel 5ths
B. Contrary Motion
C. Voice Crossing
D. Hidden Octave
86: Which of the following is NOT a type of Augmented 6th chord.
A. French
B. Italian
C. German
D. English
87: In a concert score in the key of Bb the 1st trumpet would have a key signature of
A. C
B. G
C. Bb
D. Eb
E. D
88: What notes make up the following chord: Fm7b5
A. F A C E
B. F Ab Cb Eb
C. F Ab C Eb
D. F Ab Cb E
E. F A C Eb
89: II can also be called the _______.
A. mediant
B. supertonic
C. subdominant
D. supermediant
90: F Lydian mode is related to which major key signature?
A. F Major
B. C Major
C. Bb Major
D. G Major
91: In 4/4 time, a dotted half note is equivalent to __ sixteenth notes.
A. 10
B. 11
C. 8
D. 12
92: In a 9/8 time signature, how many beat/s does the eighth note have?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 2
D. 1
E. 3
93: "Deceptive cadence" usually refers to what progression?
A. V - IV
B. V - I
C. V - vi
D. vi - IV
E. The capital letters typically indicate a major triad, whereas a deceptive cadence is almost always moving from V to the relative *minor* at vi (as opposed to VI)
94: Pick the minor chord
A. E A C
B. E G# B
C. C Eb Gb
D. D B G
E. F# A D
95: What minor key has 2 flats?
A. c
B. g
C. b flat
D. d
96: Spell out the Secondary Dominant Chord in the key of Eb Major.
A. Bb D F
B. D F Ab
C. C Eb G
D. F A C
97: A half or imperfect cadence is what?
A. Any cadence ending on the V chord.
B. Any cadence ending on the IV chord.
C. Any cadence to a chord outside of the key.
D. A cadence from IV-I.
E. A cadence from V-I.
98: What is a cabaletta?
A. A fast concluding section of a two-part operatic aria.
B. A section at the end of a fugue in which successive introductions of the theme follow at shorter intervals than before
C. A predominant vocal top line in an aria which is supported by less complex and usually instrumental lines.
99: Of which scale is D Phrygian Dominant a derived mode?
A. G major
B. Bb Major
C. Bb Harmonic Minor
D. A Melodic Minor
E. G Harmonic Minor
100: Which degree of the major scale is described as an "avoid note" during improvisation?
A. The sixth
B. The second
C. The fourth
D. The seventh
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Music Theory MCQs
Вопросы по теории музыки на русском языке
Preguntas de teoría musical en español
日本語での音楽理論の質問
Domande di teoria musicale in lingua italiana
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Questões de Teoria Musical em Língua Portuguesa
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中文（简体）语言的音乐理论问题
أسئلة حول نظرية الموسيقى في اللغات العربية
Soal-soal Teori Musik dalam bahasa Indonesia
Türk dillerinde Müzik Teorisi soruları
