Major Scale Quiz & Flashcards - Music Theory Chapter 4

Questions and Answers

Which type of scale is commonly used in African, Far Eastern, and Native American music?

Pentatonic scale

What are tonic chords?

Chords in a minor key

Chords that include a flat

Click on the I chords (correct)

Chords built on the fifth scale degree

Which of the following does NOT describe a minor scale?

Is used in many musical contexts

Sounds the same as a major scale (correct)

Has a different pattern of whole and half steps

Always starts on a different note than the major scale

This excerpt begins with outlining an - _ - triad.

ascending, minor, major Signup and view all the answers

What are the dominant chord(s) in this example?

V chord Signup and view all the answers

In this example, the excerpt never deviates from the major key.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which statements describe the chromatic scale and which do not?

All white and black keys on a keyboard Signup and view all the answers

A major scale can start on any pitch and will follow the same pattern of half steps and whole steps.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which terms describe the scale used in the third movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40?

Minor and diatonic Signup and view all the answers

What scale is associated with 'Amazing Grace'?

Pentatonic scale Signup and view all the answers

What scale is used in 'Bach, Toccata'?

Minor scale and diatonic Signup and view all the answers

What scale does 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' represent?

Major scale and diatonic Signup and view all the answers

How do the two musical examples heard here relate?

Example 1 is in a major key, Example 2 is in a minor key. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are true about music systems in non-Western cultures?

Scales with differing number of pitches Signup and view all the answers

What describes the major-minor harmonic system?

It involves patterns of tension and resolution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an active chord?

Tonic Signup and view all the answers

A flat sign is used to indicate that the pitch should be raised by a half step.

False Signup and view all the answers

What defines a chromatic scale?

All twelve half steps Signup and view all the answers

What does a diatonic scale consist of?

Seven whole and half steps Signup and view all the answers

What is a pentatonic scale?

Five note scale Signup and view all the answers

Music in a major or minor key is considered _____.

diatonic Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the scale used in 'Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata'?

Minor Signup and view all the answers

Bach's Contrapunctus I, from The Art of Fugue uses a minor scale.

True Signup and view all the answers

Harmonies built on the dominant (fifth scale degree) have a tendency to move toward the _____.

tonic Signup and view all the answers

In Western music, an octave is divided into twelve half steps.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scales and Chords

The pentatonic scale is prevalent in African, Far Eastern, and Native American music.
Tonic chords refer to the I chords in a musical context.
A minor scale does not sound the same as a major scale, highlighting its distinct tonal quality.
An excerpt may begin with an ascending minor triad and shift to a major key in the second half.

Musical Key Characteristics

A V chord represents the dominant chord in musical structures.
In Haydn's "Surprise," the excerpt does not consistently adhere to the major key; rather, it incorporates variations.
The chromatic scale consists of all twelve half steps and includes both white and black keys, whereas it does not contain 7 whole steps or follow simple patterns of whole steps.

Major and Minor Scales

A major scale retains its pattern of whole and half steps regardless of the starting pitch.
In Mozart's Symphony No. 40, the third movement is characterized by a minor and diatonic scale, contrasting with the major and chromatic scales.

Cultural Context and Music Theory

Pentatonic scales are also exemplified in songs like "Amazing Grace."
Non-Western music systems often feature smaller intervals than half steps and scales with varying numbers of pitches, contrary to the Western structure of 12 half steps.
The major-minor harmonic system consists of active chords, specifically the tonic (rest) chord and the dominant chord, which is active.

Pitch Alterations and Scale Types

A flat sign indicates lowering a pitch by a half step, not raising it.
The chromatic scale captures all twelve half steps, while the diatonic scale includes seven steps (whole and half).
A pentatonic scale contains five distinct notes, forming a unique melodic structure.

Additional Musical Insights

Music categorized as major or minor is classified as diatonic.
Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" exemplifies a minor scale in its first movement.
Bach's Contrapunctus I from The Art of Fugue is also based on a minor scale.
Harmonies built on the dominant (fifth scale degree) tend to resolve to the tonic chord.
In Western music, an octave is typically divided into twelve half steps, marking a standard system in musical structure.

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Description

Test your knowledge of musical scales and chords with these flashcards from Chapter 4. This quiz covers essential concepts such as the pentatonic scale and tonic chords, helping you understand the organization of musical sounds. Perfect for music students looking to reinforce their learning.