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AEPA Music (NT504) study materials
AEPA Music (NT504) study resources

AEPA Music (NT504) practice questions

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Question 1Music Theory and Composition

Which major key uses a key signature of three sharps?

  1. E major
  2. A major Correct answer.
  3. D major
  4. B major

Explanation

Sharps are added in the order F, C, G, D, A, E, B, so three sharps means F-sharp, C-sharp, and G-sharp. That signature belongs to A major and its relative minor, F-sharp minor.

Question 2Music Theory and Composition

The interval from C up to the G above it is which of the following?

  1. Minor seventh
  2. Perfect fourth
  3. Major sixth
  4. Perfect fifth Correct answer.

Explanation

C to G spans five letter names (C, D, E, F, G) and seven semitones, which defines a perfect fifth. Perfect fourths span five semitones, and major sixths span nine.

Question 3Music Theory and Composition

A 6/8 time signature indicates which type of meter?

  1. Compound duple Correct answer.
  2. Simple duple
  3. Compound triple
  4. Simple triple

Explanation

In 6/8 the beat is a dotted quarter note, and there are two of them per measure. Two beats subdivided into three parts each is compound duple.

Question 4Music Theory and Composition

What is the relative minor of E-flat major?

  1. G minor
  2. B-flat minor
  3. C minor Correct answer.
  4. F minor

Explanation

The relative minor lies a minor third below the major tonic and shares its key signature. A minor third below E-flat is C, so C minor shares the three-flat signature.

Question 5Music Theory and Composition

Which pitch is enharmonically equivalent to C-sharp?

  1. D-flat Correct answer.
  2. B-sharp
  3. E-flat
  4. D natural

Explanation

Enharmonic equivalents sound the same on the keyboard but are spelled differently. C-sharp and D-flat both lie on the same key, one raised from C and one lowered from D.

Question 6Music Theory and Composition

In a major key, the diatonic triad built on scale degree 5 has which quality?

  1. Minor
  2. Diminished
  3. Augmented
  4. Major Correct answer.

Explanation

In major, the diatonic triads follow the pattern I major, ii minor, iii minor, IV major, V major, vi minor, vii diminished. Scale degree 5 therefore yields a major triad, the dominant.

Question 7Music Theory and Composition

A phrase ending with the progression V–I is closed by which cadence?

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

Explanation

An authentic cadence moves from the dominant chord to the tonic. A plagal cadence moves IV–I, a deceptive cadence moves V–vi, and a half cadence ends on V.

Question 8Music Theory and Composition

Which pattern of whole (W) and half (H) steps produces a natural minor scale?

  1. W–W–H–W–W–W–H
  2. H–W–W–H–W–W–W
  3. W–H–W–W–H–W–W Correct answer.
  4. W–W–H–W–H–W–W

Explanation

The natural minor scale lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of major, giving W–H–W–W–H–W–W. The pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H belongs to the major scale.

Question 9Music Theory and Composition

In the key of C major, the chord spelled E–G–B is labeled which of the following?

  1. vi
  2. I6
  3. IV
  4. iii Correct answer.

Explanation

E is scale degree 3, and the triad built on it is the mediant, written iii. It is diatonic and minor in quality, spelled E–G–B.

Question 10Music Theory and Composition

A passage in G major ends a phrase with D major moving to E minor. Which cadence is this?

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

Explanation

D major is V and E minor is vi in G major, so the motion is V–vi, the deceptive cadence. It substitutes the submediant for the expected tonic.

Question 11Music Theory and Composition

In C major, which chord functions as V/V?

  1. D minor
  2. G major
  3. D major Correct answer.
  4. A minor

Explanation

The dominant of C major is G, and the dominant of G is D. D major (D–F-sharp–A) is therefore the secondary dominant V/V.

Question 12Music Theory and Composition

A scale using the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D is which of the following?

  1. D Dorian Correct answer.
  2. D natural minor
  3. D Phrygian
  4. D Mixolydian

Explanation

Dorian is a minor mode with a raised sixth, so D Dorian has F natural but B natural. D natural minor would use B-flat, and D Mixolydian would use F-sharp.

Question 13Music Theory and Composition

In figured bass, the figure 6 written beneath a triad indicates which inversion?

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

Explanation

Figured bass counts intervals above the bass note. A 6 means the third of the chord is in the bass, which is first inversion; 6/4 marks second inversion.

Question 14Music Theory and Composition

A non-chord tone approached by step and left by step in the same direction is called which of the following?

  1. Passing tone Correct answer.
  2. Neighbor tone
  3. Suspension
  4. Escape tone

Explanation

A passing tone connects two chord tones by step motion in one direction. A neighbor tone returns to the pitch it left, and a suspension is held over from the previous chord.

Question 15Music Theory and Composition

A B-flat clarinet sounds a major second lower than written. If the player reads a written E, which pitch sounds?

  1. F-sharp
  2. D Correct answer.
  3. F
  4. A

Explanation

Transposing down a major second from E gives D. The written part must sit a major second above sounding pitch so that the instrument's written C sounds as concert B-flat.

Question 16Music Theory and Composition

Why is the seventh degree raised in the harmonic minor scale?

  1. It lowers the sixth degree for color
  2. It creates a Picardy third at cadences
  3. It prevents parallel fifths in the dominant
  4. It supplies a leading tone to the tonic Correct answer.

Explanation

Natural minor lacks a semitone below the tonic, so raising the seventh restores the leading tone. This gives the dominant chord a major quality and a strong pull back to the tonic.

Question 17Music Theory and Composition

A passage in G major modulates to its dominant key. Which key does it reach?

  1. C major
  2. D major Correct answer.
  3. A major
  4. E minor

Explanation

The dominant lies a perfect fifth above the tonic. A perfect fifth above G is D, so the new key is D major, whose key signature adds F-sharp and C-sharp.

Question 18Music Theory and Composition

A dominant seventh chord is built from which combination of intervals?

  1. A diminished triad and a minor seventh
  2. A major triad and a minor seventh Correct answer.
  3. A minor triad and a minor seventh
  4. A major triad and a major seventh

Explanation

The dominant seventh combines a major triad with a minor seventh above the root, as in G–B–D–F. A major seventh chord uses a major seventh above the root instead.

Question 19Music Theory and Composition

In phrase structure, a period is best described as which of the following?

  1. Three phrases arranged as A–B–A
  2. A single phrase that never repeats
  3. An antecedent and a consequent phrase Correct answer.
  4. Two unrelated phrases in different keys

Explanation

A period pairs a first phrase (antecedent) with a second phrase (consequent) that answers it, often closing with a stronger cadence. Together the two phrases form a complete musical thought.

Question 20Music Theory and Composition

Which practice is conventionally avoided in four-part chorale writing?

  1. Resolving the leading tone upward
  2. Doubling the root of a tonic triad
  3. Doubling the third of a major triad
  4. Parallel perfect fifths between two voices Correct answer.

Explanation

Consecutive perfect fifths between the same pair of voices undermine the independence of the lines and are forbidden in strict style. Doubling the root and resolving the leading tone upward are both standard procedures.

Question 21Music Theory and Composition

In C major, the Neapolitan chord is which of the following?

  1. D major
  2. D-flat major Correct answer.
  3. F minor
  4. A-flat major

Explanation

The Neapolitan is a major triad built on the lowered second degree, usually appearing in first inversion. In C major, lowering D to D-flat produces the chord D-flat–F–A-flat.

Question 22Music Theory and Composition

Which pitches form the Italian augmented sixth chord in C major?

  1. A-flat, C, D
  2. A-flat, C, E-flat
  3. A-flat, C, F
  4. A-flat, C, F-sharp Correct answer.

Explanation

The Italian sixth is built on the lowered sixth degree together with the tonic and the raised fourth. In C major that gives A-flat, C, and F-sharp, with an augmented sixth between the outer voices.

Question 23Music Theory and Composition

In the key of C major, which chord is vii°/V?

  1. D diminished
  2. F diminished
  3. B diminished
  4. F-sharp diminished Correct answer.

Explanation

V in C major is G major, and the leading-tone chord of G is built on F-sharp. F-sharp diminished (F-sharp–A–C) resolves directly to G major.

Question 24Music Theory and Composition

The German augmented sixth chord in C major is enharmonically equivalent to which chord?

  1. A-flat dominant seventh Correct answer.
  2. F-sharp diminished seventh
  3. A-flat major seventh
  4. D-flat major seventh

Explanation

The German sixth in C major is spelled A-flat–C–E-flat–F-sharp. Respelling F-sharp as G-flat yields A-flat–C–E-flat–G-flat, an A-flat dominant seventh chord, which is why the chord can pivot to remote keys.

Question 25Music Theory and Composition

The octatonic scale is constructed by which of the following?

  1. Repeating a whole-tone pattern of six pitches
  2. Alternating whole and half steps through the octave Correct answer.
  3. Stacking minor thirds to produce four pitches
  4. Lowering the fifth degree of the chromatic scale

Explanation

The octatonic, or diminished, scale alternates whole and half steps and yields eight distinct pitches before the octave repeats. Its mixed intervals give it both major and minor thirds, which is why it appears often in twentieth-century music.

Question 26Music Theory and Composition

If a perfect fourth is inverted by moving its lower note up an octave, the resulting interval is which of the following?

  1. Perfect octave
  2. Major third
  3. Minor sixth
  4. Perfect fifth Correct answer.

Explanation

Inverting an interval moves the lower pitch up an octave, which changes both the interval number and its quality. A perfect fourth inverts to a perfect fifth because the two interval numbers sum to nine and perfect quality is retained.

Question 27Music Theory and Composition

How many sharps appear in the key signature of E major?

  1. Six
  2. Four Correct answer.
  3. Three
  4. Five

Explanation

E major has four sharps: F-sharp, C-sharp, G-sharp, and D-sharp. The order of sharps is fixed, and E major is four positions clockwise from C on the circle of fifths.

Question 28Music Theory and Composition

In a major scale, scale degree 6 is called which of the following?

  1. Leading tone
  2. Submediant Correct answer.
  3. Supertonic
  4. Mediant

Explanation

Scale degrees in major are tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading tone. The prefix sub- indicates the degree below the tonic, so scale degree 6 is the submediant.

Question 29Music Theory and Composition

The relative minor of F major is which key?

  1. D minor Correct answer.
  2. A minor
  3. B-flat minor
  4. F minor

Explanation

The relative minor lies a minor third below its relative major and shares the same key signature. F major has one flat, and D minor also has one flat.

Question 30Music Theory and Composition

A phrase ending with the progression IV–I is closed by which cadence?

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

Explanation

A plagal cadence moves from the subdominant to the tonic, often called the amen cadence. An authentic cadence uses V–I, while a half cadence pauses on V.

Question 31Music Theory and Composition

A diminished triad is built from which combination of intervals above the root?

  1. Minor third and perfect fifth
  2. Major third and augmented fifth
  3. Major third and perfect fifth
  4. Minor third and diminished fifth Correct answer.

Explanation

A diminished triad stacks two minor thirds, producing a minor third above the root and a diminished fifth above the root. It is the diatonic triad on the leading tone in major.

Question 32Music Theory and Composition

Which pattern of whole (W) and half (H) steps produces a major scale?

  1. W–W–H–W–W–W–H Correct answer.
  2. H–W–W–W–H–W–W
  3. W–W–W–H–W–W–H
  4. W–H–W–W–H–W–W

Explanation

The major scale follows the step pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H between consecutive scale degrees. The half steps occur between scale degrees 3–4 and 7–8.

Question 33Music Theory and Composition

A major triad with its fifth in the bass is in which inversion?

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

Explanation

Inversion is determined by the chord member in the bass. Root position has the root in the bass, first inversion has the third, and second inversion has the fifth; triads have no third inversion.

Question 34Music Theory and Composition

In figured bass, the figures 4/2 beneath a seventh chord indicate which inversion?

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

Explanation

A seventh chord in third inversion has the seventh in the bass and is figured 4/2 or simply 2. Root position is figured 7, first inversion 6/5, and second inversion 4/3.

Question 35Music Theory and Composition

In the key of C major, which chord functions as V/vi?

  1. E major Correct answer.
  2. A major
  3. D major
  4. G major

Explanation

The vi chord in C major is A minor, and its dominant is E major. Therefore E major functions as V/vi and contains the leading tone G-sharp.

Question 36Music Theory and Composition

A non-chord tone that is held over from the previous chord and then resolves downward by step is called which of the following?

  1. Escape tone
  2. Appoggiatura
  3. Anticipation
  4. Suspension Correct answer.

Explanation

A suspension is prepared as a chord tone, held into the next chord as a non-chord tone, and resolved downward by step. It is often labeled with figures such as 4–3 or 9–8.

Question 37Music Theory and Composition

Which statement accurately describes the ascending form of the melodic minor scale?

  1. Scale degrees 6 and 7 are raised Correct answer.
  2. Scale degrees 6 and 7 are lowered
  3. Only scale degree 6 is raised
  4. Only scale degree 7 is lowered

Explanation

The ascending melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degrees relative to natural minor, creating a smooth stepwise approach to the tonic. The descending form usually reverts to natural minor.

Question 38Music Theory and Composition

Which mode is a major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree?

  1. Phrygian
  2. Dorian
  3. Mixolydian Correct answer.
  4. Lydian

Explanation

Mixolydian shares the major scale’s first, third, and fifth degrees but lowers the seventh, producing a dominant-quality scale. It is the fifth mode of the major scale.

Question 39Music Theory and Composition

A French horn in F sounds a perfect fifth lower than written. If the player reads a written C, which pitch sounds?

  1. B-flat
  2. C
  3. G
  4. F Correct answer.

Explanation

For an instrument in F, written C sounds as F, a perfect fifth below. The transposition maintains the same written fingering while producing a lower concert pitch.

Question 40Music Theory and Composition

In tonal harmony, a chord that typically prepares and leads to the dominant is classified as which function?

  1. Tonic
  2. Dominant
  3. Cadential
  4. Predominant Correct answer.

Explanation

Predominant chords, such as ii and IV, intensify motion toward the dominant before resolution to tonic. They often follow tonic and set up V or V7.

Question 41Music Theory and Composition

In commercial chord symbols, the notation Cmaj7 indicates which chord?

  1. C minor triad with a minor seventh
  2. C major triad with a major seventh Correct answer.
  3. C major triad with a minor seventh
  4. C dominant seventh chord

Explanation

The suffix maj7 means a major triad plus a major seventh above the root. A plain 7 would indicate a minor seventh above the root, forming a dominant seventh chord.

Question 42Music Theory and Composition

A passage in C major uses A minor to begin a modulation to G major. The chord is vi in C major and ii in G major, so it is best described as which of the following?

  1. Secondary dominant
  2. Borrowed chord
  3. Pivot chord Correct answer.
  4. Neapolitan chord

Explanation

A pivot chord is diatonic to both the old and new keys, allowing a smooth modulation. A minor functions as vi in C major and ii in G major, so it bridges the two keys.

Question 43Music Theory and Composition

In traditional voice leading, the leading tone of a key normally resolves in which direction?

  1. Upward by step to the tonic Correct answer.
  2. Downward by leap to the dominant
  3. Downward by step to the submediant
  4. Upward by leap to the mediant

Explanation

The leading tone is a half step below tonic and has a strong tendency to resolve upward to the tonic. This tendency is especially strong in outer voices and in dominant-to-tonic progressions.

Question 44Music Theory and Composition

A tonic triad in second inversion that resolves to a root-position dominant is known as which of the following?

  1. Passing six-four
  2. Arpeggiated six-four
  3. Pedal six-four
  4. Cadential six-four Correct answer.

Explanation

The cadential six-four occurs on a strong beat and is analyzed as a decoration of the dominant, resolving to V or V7. Its bass note is the dominant scale degree, with the sixth and fourth resolving to the fifth and third.

Question 45Music Theory and Composition

A half-diminished seventh chord consists of which intervals above the root?

  1. Minor third, diminished fifth, minor seventh Correct answer.
  2. Minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh
  3. Major third, perfect fifth, major seventh
  4. Minor third, diminished fifth, diminished seventh

Explanation

A half-diminished seventh chord is a diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root, often written with the symbol ø7. It occurs naturally on scale degree 7 in major and on scale degree 2 in minor.

Question 46Music Theory and Composition

In the key of C major, which pitches form the French augmented sixth chord?

  1. A-flat, C, E-flat, F-sharp
  2. A-flat, C, D, F
  3. A-flat, C, E, F-sharp
  4. A-flat, C, D, F-sharp Correct answer.

Explanation

The French sixth is built on the lowered sixth degree and contains the augmented sixth interval plus a major third and augmented fourth above the bass. In C major that yields A-flat, C, D, and F-sharp.

Question 47Music Theory and Composition

In twelve-tone composition, which transformation presents the prime row in reverse order?

  1. Retrograde Correct answer.
  2. Transposition
  3. Inversion
  4. Prime

Explanation

Retrograde reverses the order of pitches in the row, reading from last to first. Inversion mirrors the row’s intervals, while transposition shifts the entire row to a new pitch level.

Question 48Music Theory and Composition

In sonata form, which section typically develops motives from the exposition and moves through unstable keys?

  1. Exposition
  2. Recapitulation
  3. Development Correct answer.
  4. Coda

Explanation

The development follows the exposition and often fragments, sequences, and combines themes while modulating through foreign keys. It creates tension before the recapitulation returns to the tonic.

Question 49Music Theory and Composition

In a fugue, the first statement of the subject in the dominant key is called which of the following?

  1. Episode
  2. Stretto
  3. Answer Correct answer.
  4. Countersubject

Explanation

The answer is the subject’s second entrance, usually transposed to the dominant. A countersubject accompanies the subject, episodes connect subject entries, and stretto overlaps entries.

Question 50Music Theory and Composition

A diminished seventh chord built on B is enharmonically equivalent to which of the following?

  1. A diminished seventh chord built on G-sharp Correct answer.
  2. A dominant seventh chord built on B
  3. A half-diminished seventh chord built on D
  4. An augmented triad built on F

Explanation

B diminished seventh contains B, D, F, and A-flat; A-flat is enharmonically G-sharp. The same pitch collection can be spelled as G-sharp diminished seventh, D diminished seventh, or F diminished seventh.