Music Theory AP Review Quiz

Grade 12 · Music · Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of harmonic analysis, part writing, modulation, and sight-singing concepts from the AP Music Theory curriculum.

Questions

1. In the key of A major, what chord does the Roman numeral IV represent?

   1. D major
   2. E major
   3. F♯ minor
   4. B major
   Show answer

   Answer: D major

   In A major, the scale degrees are A(I), B(II), C♯(III), D(IV), E(V), F♯(VI), G♯(VII). The IV chord is built on D, making it D major.

2. Which of the following is a correct resolution of the leading tone (scale degree 7) in a major key?

   1. Descending by a whole step to scale degree 6
   2. Ascending by a half step to scale degree 1 (tonic)
   3. Leaping down a third to scale degree 5
   4. Remaining stationary on scale degree 7
   Show answer

   Answer: Ascending by a half step to scale degree 1 (tonic)

   The leading tone (scale degree 7, a half step below the tonic) has strong tendency to resolve upward by half step to the tonic. This is a fundamental principle of tonal voice leading.

3. Which chord inversion has the third of the chord in the bass?

   1. Root position
   2. First inversion
   3. Second inversion
   4. Third inversion
   Show answer

   Answer: First inversion

   First inversion places the third of the chord in the bass. For a C major chord in first inversion, E would be in the bass. The figured bass symbol is 6/3, commonly abbreviated to 6.

4. A cadence consisting of V→I is called a:

   1. Plagal cadence
   2. Half cadence
   3. Deceptive cadence
   4. Authentic cadence
   Show answer

   Answer: Authentic cadence

   An authentic cadence moves from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I), creating a strong sense of resolution and finality. A perfect authentic cadence requires both chords in root position with scale degree 1 in the soprano.

5. Which of the following correctly describes a 6/4 chord (second inversion triad)?

   1. The root is in the bass
   2. The fifth is in the bass
   3. The third is in the bass
   4. The seventh is in the bass
   Show answer

   Answer: The fifth is in the bass

   A 6/4 chord (second inversion) has the fifth of the chord in the bass. For C major in second inversion (I 6/4), G would be in the bass voice.

6. In AP Music Theory sight-singing, 'movable do' means:

   1. Do always represents the pitch C regardless of key
   2. Do is assigned to the tonic of whatever key you are in
   3. Do represents the lowest note of any melody
   4. Do shifts to the dominant at the beginning of each phrase
   Show answer

   Answer: Do is assigned to the tonic of whatever key you are in

   Movable do assigns 'do' to the tonic of the current key, allowing the solfège syllables to represent functional scale degrees regardless of the key's pitch level.

7. A deceptive cadence moves from V to vi instead of resolving V to I.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   A deceptive cadence substitutes vi for the expected I after V, 'deceiving' the listener's expectation of resolution to the tonic. It is common at phrase endings in Bach chorales and Classical-era music.

8. The interval between C and G (spanning 7 half steps) is a perfect ______.

   Show answer

   Answer: fifth

   C to G spans 7 half steps (C→C♯→D→D♯→E→F→F♯→G) and is classified as a perfect fifth — one of the 'perfect' intervals along with the unison, fourth, and octave.

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