Understanding Chords in Music

What do intervals refer to in music?

• The length of a song

• The relationships between certain notes

• The speed of a piece

• The volume of a performance

Answer explanation

Intervals in music refer to the relationships between certain notes, such as the distance between them in pitch.

What does the Roman numeral VII represent in chord notation?

• Tonic

• Leading Tone

• Subdominant

• Mediant

Answer explanation

The Roman numeral VII represents the Leading Tone in chord notation.

What is the first chord in the key of A minor?

• C E G

• A C E

• D F A

• E G B

Answer explanation

The first chord in the key of A minor is A C E. This chord consists of the notes A, C, and E, which are the first, third, and fifth notes of the A minor scale.

The first step in building any chord is (a)  

• Select a key

• Write out the scale

• Create a chord for each scale degre

• Add a major or minor third

Answer explanation

The correct choice is to select a key as the first step in building any chord.

What is the purpose of focusing on tonic, subdominant, and dominant scale degrees in a chord progression?

• To create a melody

• To establish the key of a song

• To add rhythm

• To create harmony

Answer explanation

Focusing on tonic, subdominant, and dominant scale degrees in a chord progression helps establish the key of a song by emphasizing the primary chords within that key.

How are major chords expressed in terms of Roman numerals?

• Lowercase Roman numerals

• Uppercase Roman numerals

• Arabic numerals

• Greek numerals

Answer explanation

Major chords are expressed in terms of uppercase Roman numerals.

Match the following descriptions with their corresponding changes to the 5th in a diminished chord:

• 5th is increased by a half step

• It is raised one semitone

• 5th is decreased by a half step

• It is doubled

• 5th is played twice

• It remains the same

• 5th stays unchanged

• It is flattened one semitone

What is an augmented chord?

• A chord where the 5th is flattened

• A chord where the 5th is sharpened

• A chord where the 3rd is flattened

• A chord where the 3rd is sharpened

Answer explanation

An augmented chord is a chord where the 5th is sharpened, not flattened. This alteration creates a unique and dissonant sound in music.

What is an altered chord?

• A chord that has strayed from the typical formula

• A chord that follows the typical formula

• A chord that only includes notes from the major scale

• A chord that only includes notes from the minor scale

Answer explanation

A chord that has strayed from the typical formula is considered an altered chord, making the first answer choice the correct one.

Csus4 converts C E and G to (a)  

• C F G

• C D G

• C E G

• C G B

Answer explanation

Csus4 converts C E and G to C F G because the sus4 chord replaces the third (E) with the fourth (F) note in the scale, while keeping the root (C) and fifth (G) notes.