MUSIC THEORY QUIZ

Wouldn’t it be fun to go back to school? Recess, lunch with friends, quizzes… Yeah, quizzes. Sounds like fun, right? I was recently putting together a music theory quiz for a new lesson and thought to myself, “I should share this with all of our students out there who are music theory fans.” (I don’t lead the most exciting life).

Take the quiz, check your answers, tally your score, and discover how much of a music geek you are by getting your ranking below. No cheating (this means no internet assistance!) The questions get progressively more challenging.

 

#1. Which two keys are indicated by this key signature?

Music Theory Quiz Q1

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2. Identify this interval?

Music Theory Quiz Q2

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3. Name the scale (mode) written below.

Music Theory Quiz Q3

 

 

 

 

#4. Identify the chord below. (Identify the root and quality of the chord – ie, the root of the chord and whether it is major, minor, dominant, etc).

Music Theory Quiz Q4

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5. Using Roman numeral analysis, identify (label) the chord progression below.

Music Theory Quiz Q5

 

 

 

 

 

 

#6. Using Roman numeral analysis, identify (label) the 4-measure passage below.

Music Theory Quiz Q6

 

#7. Spell a C#m7 chord in 1st inversion.

Music Theory Quiz Q7

 

 

 

 

 

 

#8. Rewrite the closed-position F7 chord below in open-position.

Music Theory Quiz Q8

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9. Write an Eb harmonic minor scale.

Music Theory Quiz Q9

 

 

 

 

 

 

#10. What is a V7/V chord in the key of A major?

 

 

Now check your answers, tally up your score, and see where you rank below. Correct answers are 1 point apiece, no partial credit allowed. (It’s all or nothin’ folks).

RANKINGS

0 points = “Dunce Cap”

1-3 points = “Stay After School For Extra Help”

4-5 points = “Shows Potential”

6-7 points = “A Pleasure to Have in Class”

8-9 points = “Teacher’s Pet”

10 points = “Valedictorian and a Gold Star!”

 

ANSWERS:

    #1. A major and F# minor

    #2. Minor 6th

    #3. C phrygian (3rd degree of an Ab major scale)

    #4. Db7 (i.e., D-flat dominant 7th chord)

    #5. “ii – V7 – I” progression in the key of G major (ie, Am, D7, Gmaj)

    #6. In key of E major: m1 = Emaj (I); m2 = B7 (V7); m3 = Amaj (IV) and Emaj (I); m4 = B7 (V7) and Emaj (I)Music Theory Quiz A6

 

    #7. Can be written anywhere on staff (treble or bass) but must read in this order (from bottom up): E, G#, B, C#.  Example answer:

Music Theory Quiz A7

 

    #8. Answers will vary. Chord must be spread across a range larger than an octave (i.e., an “open-position” or “spread” voicing).  Example answer:

Music Theory Quiz A8

 

  #9. Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb

Music Theory Quiz A9

 

  #10. “B7” chord

Music Theory Quiz A10

 

author avatar
Willie President
Willie Myette is a pianist, serial entrepreneur and author of over a dozen books on piano and music education. He received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and graduated in under 4 years. Willie is the creator and president of online piano instruction sites Jazzedge® Academy, Jazz Piano Lessons and HomeSchool Piano.

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