Music Theory and Composition
What to know
Music theory questions test both declarative knowledge and applied analysis. Be fluent with major and minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic), all modes, and interval quality and quantity, including compound intervals. Know triads and seventh chords built on each scale degree, their Roman numeral labels (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°), and inversion symbols (6, 6/4, 7, 6/5, 4/3, 4/2). Study voice-leading rules: resolve leading tones and sevenths, avoid parallel perfect fifths and octaves, and approach dissonances prepared and resolved. Cadences (authentic, half, plagal, deceptive) and phrase structure matter. Know binary, ternary, rondo, sonata, theme and variations, and fugue. Meter, syncopation, texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic), transposition, clefs, and score order round out the toolkit.
Traps
Misreading a key signature as major when the passage is in a relative minor; labeling a first-inversion triad as root position; treating an augmented fourth and diminished fifth as interchangeable without context; applying the harmonic minor scale in both directions; and forgetting that a seventh chord's inversion is named by its lowest sounding note, not the root. Roman numerals should reflect quality in the key: uppercase for major, lowercase for minor, ° for diminished, + for augmented.
Rule of thumb
Identify key first, then chord root, then quality, then bass note. Example: in B-flat major, the notes D–F–B-flat form a B-flat major triad in second inversion, labeled I6/4 - root is B-flat, bass is F.