Essentials of Music Theory Test Name_____________________________

Volume 1, Unit 1 Questions

1) The note names of the five lines in the treble clef from bottom to top are:

a) E F G A B b) F A C E G c) E G B D F d) G B D F A

e) B D F A C

2) The note names of the four spaces in the treble clef from bottom to top are:

a) F A C E b) G B D F c) E C A F d) B D F A

e) G A B C

3) The note names of the five lines in the bass clef from bottom to top are:

a) F A C E G b) B D F A C c) G B D F A d) E G B D F

e) E F G A B

4) The note names of the four spaces in the bass clef from bottom to top are:

a) A C E G b) E C A F c) B D F A d) G A B C

e) F A C E

Volume 1, Unit 2 Questions

5) When notes are written on or above the 3rd line of the staff, stems extend _________
on the left side of the note.

a) behind b) diagonally c) across d) downward

e) upward
 Volume 1, Unit 3 Questions

6) In 2/4 time, there are ____ beats per measure.

a) 5 b) 1 c) 3 d) 2

e) 4

7) In 3/4 time, there are ____ beats per measure.

a) 5 b) 3 c) 2 d) 4

e) 1

8) Legato singing or playing means to play the music ______.

a) tied b) short c) tongued d) not connected

e) smoothly connected

9) A tie occurs when 2 notes of ____ are joined by a curved line.

a) equal values b) equal lengths c) the same pitch

d) different intervals e) different pitches

10) A slur occurs when 2 notes of ____ are joined by a curved line.

a) different intervals b) the same pitch c) equal lengths

d) equal values e) different pitches

 Volume 1, Unit 4 Questions

11)

a) 5 b) 10 c) 7 d) 9

e) 6

12)

a) 7 b) 5 c) 4 d) 6

e) 8

13)

a) 13 b) 11 c) 9 d) 7

e) 8
14)

a) 8 b) 10 c) 9 d) 7

e) 11

Volume 1, Unit 6 Questions

15) The flat sign _____ the pitch of a note.

a) raises b) cancels c) lowers d) increases

e) doubles

16) The sharp sign _____ the pitch of a note.

a) doubles b) raises c) increases d) lowers

e) cancels

17) The natural sign _____ a previous sharp or flat.

a) repeats b) detaches c) cancels d) reinforces

e) doubles
18) The enharmonic note for E# is:

a) E b) F c) Cb d) Db

e) D#

19) The enharmonic note for Cb is:

a) Bb b) Db c) B# d) B

e) D#

Volume 2, Unit 7 Questions

20) To determine the key signature in a sharp key:

a) go up a half step from the first sharp

b) go up a whole step from the last sharp

c) go up a half step from the last sharp

d) go up a whole step from the first sharp

e) go up a half step from the next-to-last sharp

21) The key signature with one flat is:

a) G Major b) F Major c) D Major d) C Major

e) Bb Major
22) To determine the key signature for flat keys with 2 or more flats, remember:

a) the first flat is the name of the key

b) go a half step above the last flat to name the key

c) the last flat is the name of the key

d) the next-to-last flat is the name of the key

e) go a whole step above the last flat to name the key

Volume 2, Unit 8 Questions

23) The order of sharps in a key signature is:

a) C, F, B, E, A, D, G b) B, C, D, E, F, G, A c) B, E, A, D, G, C, F

d) F, C, G, D, A, E, B e) C, G, D, A, E, B, F

24) The order of flats in a key signature is:

a) C, G, D, A, E, B, F b) B, E, A, D, G, C, F c) C, F, B, E, A, D, G

d) B, C, D, E, F, G, A e) F, C, G, D, A, E, B

25) Two scales or notes that sound the same, but that are written differently, are called:

a) relative b) chromatic c) major d) minor

e) enharmonic
26) The distance in pitch between two notes is called a(n):

a) chord b) interval c) scale d) melody

e) tonality

27) Intervals sounded together are called ________, while intervals that sound separately
are called ________.

a) melodic...harmonic b) enharmonic...melodic c) enharmonic...harmonic

d) even-numbered...odd-numbered e) harmonic...melodic

Volume 2, Unit 9 Questions

28) When you take a major interval and lower the top note by a half step, it becomes a(n):

a) enharmonic interval b) harmonic interval c) major interval

d) diminished interval e) minor interval

29) When you take a perfect or minor interval and lower the top note by a half step, it
becomes a(n):

a) diminished interval b) major interval c) harmonic interval

d) enharmonic interval e) minor interval

30) When the upper note of a perfect or major interval is raised a half step, it becomes a(n):

a) major interval b) harmonic interval c) diminished interval

d) minor interval e) augmented interval

 Volume 2, Unit 10 Questions

31) Common time means:

a) the same as cut time b) alla breve c) 4/4 time

d) the tempo given at the beginning of a piece e) 2/2 time

32) Cut time, or alla breve, has ____ beats per measure, and the ____ note receives one
beat.

a) 4...whole note b) 2...16th note c) 2...quarter note d) 2...half note

e) 4...eighth note

Volume 2, Unit 11 Questions

33) How many eighth notes are in one measure of 3/8 time?

a) 9 b) 4 c) 8 d) 3

e) 6

34) In common time, 3 notes played in the time of one beat is called a(n):

a) syncopation b) fast 6/8 c) incomplete measure

d) fast 3/8 e) triplet

35) An eighth-note triplet is:

a) 3 eighth notes played in the time of 3 b) 3 eighth notes played in the time of 1

c) 3 eighth notes played in the time of 2 d) 1 eighth note played in the time of 3

e) 6 eighth notes played in the time of 3

Volume 2, Unit 12 Questions

36) Three or more notes sounded together is called a(n):

a) chord b) tonic c) interval d) primary triad

e) dominant

37) The note from which a chord gets its name is a(n):

a) fifth b) interval note c) primary note d) third

e) root note

38) The primary triads or primary chords of a major key are:

a) I, II and III b) I, IV and VI c) I, V and VI d) I, IV and V

e) IV, V and VII

39) The first degree of a scale is called the:

a) leading tone b) supertonic c) mediant d) dominant

e) tonic
40) The 5th degree (V) of a scale is called the:

a) supertonic b) mediant c) leading tone d) tonic

e) dominant

41) The 4th degree (IV) of a scale is called the:

a) tonic b) leading tone c) subdominant d) dominant

e) mediant

42) In many pieces, this chord is used instead of the V chord:

a) the dominant 7th chord b) the submediant chord c) the dominant triad

d) the supertonic chord e) the tonic chord

Volume 3, Unit 13 Questions

43) An inversion of a chord means the root is no longer on the ______.

a) bottom b) triad c) staff d) top

e) side

44) In 1st inversion, the 3rd of a triad is always on the ______.

a) side b) top c) triad d) staff

e) bottom
45) In close position, the notes of the chord are spaced ______ an octave.

a) on top of b) larger than c) the same as d) adjacent to

e) within

46) In open position, the notes of the chord are spaced ______ an octave.

a) within b) on top of c) larger than d) the same as

e) adjacent to

Volume 3, Unit 14 Questions

47) Indicate the relative major scale for each minor scale.
A minor: ______ major

a) C b) F c) D d) Bb

e) G

48) Indicate the relative major scale for each minor scale.
E minor: ______ major

a) F b) G c) Bb d) D

e) C

49) The Harmonic Minor Scale ______ the 7th tone by one ______ step ascending and
descending.

a) lowers...whole b) raises...half c) lowers...third of a

d) raises...whole e) lowers...half
50) When ascending, the Melodic Minor Scale ______ the 6th and 7th tone by one ______
step.

a) raises...whole b) lowers...whole c) lowers...third of a

d) raises...half e) lowers...half

51) The Melodic Minor Scale descends the same as the ______ minor scale.

a) chromatic b) natural c) harmonic d) enharmonic

e) relative

Volume 3, Unit 18 Questions

52) Two-part forms are also called ______ or ______.

a) AB...binary b) ABA...binary c) AB...motive d) AB...ternary

e) ABA...ternary

53) The part of a song that tells a story is called the ______.

a) verse b) refrain c) phrase d) motive

e) chorus

54) Three-part forms are also called ______ or ______.

a) ABA...rondo b) AB...binary c) ABA...ternary d) ABA...binary

e) AB...ternary
55) A form that consists of an A section alternating with other contrasting sections of
musical material is called a(n) _____.

a) rondo b) refrain c) binary d) phrase

e) ternary

56) Which of the following are the most common forms of a rondo?
1. ABABA 2. ABACA 3. ABACAB 4. ABABAC 5. ABACABA

a) 3, 2, 4 b) 1, 2, 4 c) All of the above d) 1, 2, 5

e) 1, 3, 5

Volume 1, Unit 2 Exercises

Select the note value that completes each measure.

57)

a) whole note b) half note c) quarter note

58)

a) whole note b) quarter note c) half note

Select the rest value that completes each measure.

59)

a) half rest b) quarter rest c) whole rest

60)

a) whole rest b) quarter rest c) half rest

Volume 1, Unit 3 Exercises

Does the measure have the correct or incorrect number of beats?

61)

a) correct b) incorrect

62)

a) incorrect b) correct

Are the given notes slurred or tied?

63)

a) slur b) tie
64)

a) slur b) tie

Select the correct time signature for each example.

65)

a) 2
4

b) 3
4

c) 4
4

66)

a) 4
4

b) 2
4

c) 3
4

Volume 1, Unit 5 Exercises

 Choose the right symbol for each term.

67) Pianissimo

a) b) c) d)

68) Forte

a) b) c) d)

69) Mezzo Piano

a) b) c) d)

70) Mezzo Forte

a) b) c) d)

71) Fortissimo

a) b) c) d)

Choose the right definition for each symbol.

72)
a) very soft b) medium loud c) soft d) medium soft

73)

a) loud b) medium soft c) medium loud d) very loud

74)

a) medium soft b) very soft c) loud d) medium loud

75)

a) soft b) very loud c) very soft d) medium soft

76)
a) soft b) very loud c) very soft d) medium loud

Choose the right definition for each term.

77) Vivace

a) moving along b) lively and fast c) gradually faster d) gradually slower

78) Largo

a) slow b) gradually slower c) moderately d) very slow

79) Moderato

a) moderately b) lively and fast c) moving along d) gradually slower

80) Andante

a) gradually slower b) very slow c) moderately d) moving along

81) Adagio

a) very slow b) gradually faster c) moving along d) slow

Choose the right definition for each term.

82) Fermata

a) Hold longer than normal value. b) Louder with emphasis.

c) Short and detached.

83) Accent

a) Louder with emphasis. b) Short and detached.

c) Hold longer than normal value.

84) Tenuto

a) Sudden, strong accent b) Hold longer than normal value.

c) Hold for full value.

85) Staccato

a) Sudden, strong accent b) Louder with emphasis. c) Short and detached.

86) Sforzando

a) Sudden, strong accent b) Short and detached.

c) Hold longer than normal value.

Volume 2, Unit 7 Exercises

Name the key signatures.

87)

a) D b) F c) G d) C

e) Bb
88)

a) Bb b) G c) F d) D

e) C

89)

a) D b) C c) Bb d) G

e) F

Volume 2, Unit 8 Exercises

Name the key signatures.

90)

a) Db Major b) Ab Major c) Cb Major d) Gb Major

e) Eb Major

91)

a) Cb Major b) Ab Major c) Db Major d) Eb Major

e) Gb Major
92)

a) Db Major b) Gb Major c) Ab Major d) Cb Major

e) Eb Major

Name the interval.

93)

a) 6th b) 5th c) 3rd d) octave

e) 2nd

94)

a) 7th b) 3rd c) 6th d) 5th

e) 4th

95)

a) unison b) octave c) 3rd d) 5th

e) 2nd
 Volume 2, Unit 9 Exercises

Name the interval and whether it's major (M), perfect (P), or minor (m).

96)

a) M2 b) m3 c) m2 d) P4

e) M3

97)

a) P1 b) m8 c) M7 d) M8

e) P8

98)

a) M3 b) m2 c) P2 d) m3

e) M2

99)

a) M4 b) M5 c) P4 d) P5

e) m5
 Volume 2, Unit 12 Exercises

Given the root, 3rd, or 5th, name the two other notes that make up the
root position triad.

100)

a) F and G b) C and G c) B and D d) E and G

e) G and B

101)

a) G and B b) C and F c) A and C d) C and G

e) F and A

For each key, name the triads built on the 1st, 4th and 5th scale degrees (in that order).

102)

a) A, D, E b) Ab, Db, E c) A, D, Eb d) Bb, Eb, F

e) Ab, Db, Eb

103)

a) C#, F#, G# b) C, F, Gb c) C, D, F d) C, F, G

e) C, E, G
 Volume 3, Unit 13 Exercises

Identify the following as root position, first inversion, or second inversion triads.

104)

a) 1st Inversion b) Root Position c) 2nd Inversion

105)

a) 2nd Inversion b) 1st Inversion c) Root Position

106)

a) 1st Inversion b) Root Position c) 2nd Inversion

Volume 3, Unit 14 Exercises

Identify the following minor key signatures.

107)

a) G minor b) F# minor c) E minor d) B minor

e) D minor
108)

a) A minor b) G minor c) C minor d) F minor

e) E minor

Choose the correct relative minor key for the given major keys.

109) G Major: ______ minor

a) E minor b) F# minor c) D minor d) G minor

110) D Major: ______ minor

a) A minor b) E minor c) G minor d) B minor

 Essentials of Music Theory Answer Key

1) c
2) a
3) c
4) a
5) d
6) d
7) b
8) e
9) c
10) e
11) d
12) d
13) c
14) a
15) c
16) b
17) c
18) b
19) d
20) c
21) b
22) d
23) d
24) b
25) e
26) b
27) e
28) e
29) a
30) e
31) c
32) d
33) d
34) e
35) c
36) a
37) e
38) d
39) e
40) e
41) c
42) a
43) a
44) e
45) e
46) c
47) a
48) b
49) b
50) d
51) b
52) a
53) a
54) c
55) a
56) d
57) b
58) c
59) a
60) b
61) b
62) a
63) b
64) b
65) a
66) a
67) d
68) b
69) a
70) c
71) b
72) c
73) c
74) c
75) b
76) c
77) b
78) d
79) a
80) d
81) d
82) a
83) a
84) c
85) c
86) a
87) a
88) e
89) e
90) e
91) b
92) a
93) a
94) e
95) a
96) e
97) e
98) b
99) d
100) e
101) c
102) e
103) d
104) b
105) a
106) b
107) c
108) a
109) a
110) d