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Quizzes > Music

Music Theory Practice Test: Scales, Chords, and Intervals

Quick, free music theory quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Tyler JohnsonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting musical notes and symbols for a Music Theory Quiz.

This music theory quiz helps you check and strengthen core skills in scales, chords, intervals, and rhythm with 15 quick questions. Build speed and spot gaps, then keep learning with our music terminology quiz, try another set in the music theory practice quiz, or refresh essentials with a basic music theory quiz. Instant feedback keeps practice simple.

What is the key signature of G major?
Two sharps
Three sharps
One sharp
No sharps or flats
G major's key signature contains one sharp, which is F#. This sharp ensures the correct spacing of whole and half steps in the major scale pattern.
What is the relative minor of C major?
G minor
E minor
D minor
A minor
The relative minor of C major is A minor because it shares the same key signature of no sharps or flats. Both scales use the same pitches but start on different tonics.
What interval is between C and G?
Perfect fifth
Perfect fourth
Major sixth
Minor fifth
C to G spans five letter names (C-D-E-F-G) and seven semitones, which defines a perfect fifth. This interval is foundational in Western harmony.
Which note value receives one beat in 4/4 time?
Whole note
Eighth note
Quarter note
Half note
In 4/4 time, the bottom number indicates the quarter note gets one beat. A quarter note thus equals one of the four beats in each measure.
How many sharps are in the key of D major?
Two
Three
Four
One
D major has two sharps, F# and C#, following the circle of fifths pattern. These sharps maintain the major scale interval sequence starting on D.
Which major key has three flats in its key signature?
A♭ major
F major
B♭ major
E♭ major
E♭ major has three flats: B♭, E♭, and A♭. This arrangement follows the order of flats in key signatures.
What is the chord progression I - V - vi - IV in C major?
C - G - Am - F
C - F - G - Am
C - Em - F - G
Am - F - C - G
In C major, I is C, V is G, vi is A minor, and IV is F, yielding the progression C - G - Am - F. This progression is common in pop and classical harmony.
What is the primary harmonic function of the V chord?
Tonic function
Subdominant function
Dominant function
Mediant function
The V chord, or dominant, creates tension that resolves back to the tonic. Its function is to prepare and drive the progression toward the tonic chord.
Which scale raises the 7th degree when ascending?
Phrygian mode
Dorian mode
Harmonic minor
Natural minor
The harmonic minor scale raises the 7th degree by a half step ascending to provide a stronger leading tone to the tonic. This alteration distinguishes it from the natural minor scale.
What is the inversion of a major third?
Perfect fourth
Minor sixth
Perfect fifth
Major sixth
A major third inverts to a minor sixth. Inversions subtract the original interval number from nine and change quality accordingly.
In 3/4 time, how many beats does a dotted half note receive?
One beat
Four beats
Three beats
Two beats
A dotted half note adds half of its value (a half note) to the original two beats, totaling three beats. In 3/4 time, it fills the entire measure.
Which chord is built on the second scale degree of A major?
F♯ minor
B major
D minor
B minor
In A major, the second scale degree is B. Building a triad on B using the key's notes gives B - D♯ - F♯, which forms a B minor chord.
What is the ii - V - I progression in C major?
E minor - A minor - D
A minor - D - G
G - C - F
D minor - G - C
In C major, ii is D minor, V is G major, and I is C major. The ii - V - I is a staple progression in jazz and classical harmony.
Which time signature is an example of compound duple meter?
4/4
9/8
6/8
2/4
Compound duple meter has two main beats per measure, each subdivided into three. In 6/8 time you have two dotted-quarter beats, each dividing into three eighth notes.
What is the leading tone in G major?
G♯
F♯
E♯
F
The leading tone is the seventh degree of the scale, one semitone below the tonic. In G major that note is F♯.
Which secondary dominant in C major resolves to the ii chord?
B7
D7
E7
A7
A7 functions as V/ii in C major, targeting the D minor (ii) chord by acting as its dominant. Secondary dominants temporarily tonicize non-tonic chords.
What is the interval between E₂ and C₄?
Minor thirteenth
Major thirteenth
Major sixth
Perfect eleventh
E₂ to C₄ spans an octave plus a minor sixth, which names a minor thirteenth as a compound interval. The quality is minor because it comprises the same semitones as a minor sixth plus twelve.
Which chord is borrowed from the parallel minor in C major?
E♭ major
D minor
B diminished
G major
E♭ major contains the lowered third (E♭) from C minor, making it a modal mixture chord borrowed from the parallel minor. Borrowed chords add color by introducing non-diatonic tones.
In 7/8 time, which grouping of beats is most common?
3+2+2
2+2+3
3+3+1
2+3+2
A 2+2+3 subdivision is one standard way to phrase 7/8 time, creating two short beats and one longer beat. This grouping helps performers maintain the irregular meter.
Which pivot chord can facilitate modulation from C major to G major?
E minor
D major
C major
G major
G major is diatonic to both C major (V chord) and G major (I chord), making it an ideal pivot for modulation. A pivot chord must be common to both keys.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse major and minor scales by ear and notation.
  2. Identify chord progressions and harmonic functions.
  3. Apply key signature rules to read sheet music accurately.
  4. Demonstrate interval relationships across octaves.
  5. Evaluate rhythmic patterns using standard notation.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand Major and Minor Scale Structures - Major scales follow a pattern of whole and half steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H) that give them a bright, uplifting sound, while natural minor scales (W-H-W-W-H-W-W) have a more pensive flavor. Playing and memorizing these formulas helps you spot scales by ear and notation in a snap. Ready to unlock new musical landscapes?
  2. Learn to Identify Chord Progressions - Common sequences like I - IV - V - I form the backbone of countless songs, from pop hits to classical masterpieces. Practicing these progressions trains your ear to follow harmonic journeys and improvise with confidence. Dive into the world of chords and discover endless possibilities!
  3. Grasp Harmonic Functions - Every chord plays a role: the tonic feels like home, the subdominant leads you somewhere new, and the dominant builds tension that begs for resolution. Understanding these functions helps you analyze and predict chord movements in any piece. Master this, and you'll read harmony like a pro!
  4. Master Key Signatures - Each major and minor key has its own signature of sharps or flats that tells you which notes to play. Memorizing these signatures turns daunting staves into friendly maps. You'll never miss a sharp or flat again!
  5. Recognize Interval Relationships - Intervals - the distances between two notes - are the secret sauce of melody and harmony (for example, a perfect fifth spans seven semitones). Training your ear on these distances across octaves boosts musical intuition and improvisation skills. Level up your listening game!
  6. Analyze Rhythmic Patterns - Note values, rests, and time signatures combine to form the beat and groove of any piece. Spotting recurring patterns helps you feel the pulse instead of just reading it. Once you crack the code, you'll tap your foot without missing a beat!
  7. Practice Ear Training - Ear training is like a workout for your musical mind: the more you do it, the sharper your skills. Drill scales, intervals, and chord progressions by ear to strengthen your inner compass. Soon you'll identify anything solely through listening!
  8. Explore Harmonic Rhythm - Harmonic rhythm describes how often chords change, driving a song's momentum and feel. Faster changes can create excitement, while slower shifts add drama or calm. Understanding this pace reveals composers' structural secrets!
  9. Understand Chord Inversions - Inversions reshuffle chord notes to smooth transitions and introduce fresh textures. Practicing these voicings enhances your voice leading and opens up creative arranging ideas. It's like discovering new flavors in a familiar recipe!
  10. Study Cadences - Cadences are musical punctuation marks: they signal endings, pauses, or even surprises (hello, deceptive cadence!). Authentic, plagal, and deceptive cadences each tell a different story - learning them deepens your grasp of musical form. Get ready to speak fluent cadence!
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