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Praxis Music practice questions

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Question 1Music Theory and Composition

Which interval is formed by two notes that share the same letter name and the same pitch class?

  1. Major second
  2. Augmented unison
  3. Minor second
  4. Perfect unison Correct answer.

Explanation

A unison is the interval between two notes of identical pitch. When the two pitches are the same pitch class and the same letter, the interval is a perfect unison, the only interval labeled 'perfect' at size one.

Question 2Music Theory and Composition

In a major key, the chord built on the seventh scale degree is which quality?

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

Explanation

The diatonic seventh-degree triad in a major key contains two minor thirds stacked (scale degrees 7, 2, and 4), producing a diminished triad. This creates the leading-tone chord that resolves to the tonic.

Question 3Music Theory and Composition

A piece is notated with no sharps or flats in the key signature. Which pair of keys does this signature represent?

  1. G major and E minor
  2. F major and D minor
  3. D major and B minor
  4. C major and A minor Correct answer.

Explanation

A key signature with zero sharps and zero flats corresponds to C major and its relative minor, A minor. Relative keys share the same signature and differ only in the tonal center.

Question 4Music Theory and Composition

In 6/8 meter, how many beats are typically felt per measure, and what note value receives the beat?

  1. Two beats, each a dotted quarter note Correct answer.
  2. Six beats, each an eighth note
  3. Three beats, each a quarter note
  4. Two beats, each a quarter note

Explanation

6/8 is a compound duple meter: six eighth notes are grouped into two beats of three eighths each. A dotted quarter note equals three eighth notes and therefore carries the felt beat.

Question 5Music Theory and Composition

Which cadence moves from the dominant chord to the tonic chord to close a phrase?

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

Explanation

An authentic cadence is the progression from V to I (or V to i), the standard harmonic close of a phrase. A perfect authentic cadence adds that both chords are in root position and the soprano ends on the tonic.

Question 6Music Theory and Composition

What does a dot placed immediately after a notehead do to that note's duration?

  1. Adds half of the note's original value Correct answer.
  2. Shortens the note by half
  3. Doubles the note's original value
  4. Adds one quarter of the note's original value

Explanation

A dot lengthens a note by half of its original value, so a dotted half note equals a half note plus a quarter note. Multiple dots add successive halves of the preceding addition.

Question 7Music Theory and Composition

Which scale is built on the pattern of whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step?

  1. Whole-tone
  2. Major Correct answer.
  3. Harmonic minor
  4. Natural minor

Explanation

The major scale follows the step pattern W-W-H-W-W-W-H between its scale degrees. This pattern produces the characteristic major third above the tonic.

Question 8Music Theory and Composition

In 4/4 time, what is the total duration of a measure?

  1. Four quarter notes Correct answer.
  2. Three quarter notes
  3. Two half notes
  4. Six eighth notes

Explanation

The top number of a time signature indicates beats per measure and the bottom number indicates the note value of one beat. In 4/4, four quarter notes fill one measure.

Question 9Music Theory and Composition

A melody moves from scale degree 1 up to scale degree 5 in a major key. What interval does this span?

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

Explanation

Scale degrees 1 and 5 in a major scale are separated by seven semitones, which defines a perfect fifth. The fifth is a perfect consonance and remains perfect in both major and minor keys.

Question 10Music Theory and Composition

Which chord progression represents a standard ii-V-I in C major?

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

Explanation

In C major the supertonic triad is D minor, the dominant is G major, and the tonic is C major, giving ii-V-I. This progression is the most common cadential formula in tonal harmony.

Question 11Music Theory and Composition

A composer writes a passage that modulates from C major to G major. Which accidental is most likely introduced first?

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

Explanation

G major differs from C major by one sharp, F-sharp, which serves as the leading tone of the new key. Introducing F-sharp signals the shift toward the dominant key.

Question 12Music Theory and Composition

In first-species counterpoint, what is the standard relationship between the two voices at the opening and closing?

  1. Both begin and end on a perfect consonance Correct answer.
  2. Both begin and end on an imperfect consonance
  3. Both begin on a perfect consonance and end on an imperfect consonance
  4. Both begin on an imperfect consonance and end on a perfect consonance

Explanation

First-species exercises conventionally open and close on perfect consonances such as the unison, fifth, or octave. Imperfect consonances are used freely in the interior of the exercise.

Question 13Music Theory and Composition

A triad consists of the notes E, G, and B. What is its quality?

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

Explanation

E to G is a minor third and E to B is a perfect fifth, which defines a minor triad. The major third G to B confirms the minor quality by sitting above the minor third.

Question 14Music Theory and Composition

Which scale degree is raised to produce the leading tone in harmonic minor?

  1. The fourth
  2. The seventh Correct answer.
  3. The third
  4. The sixth

Explanation

Harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of natural minor by a semitone, creating a leading tone a half step below the tonic. This strengthens the dominant harmony and the V-i cadence.

Question 15Music Theory and Composition

A passage shifts from 4/4 to 6/8 while retaining the same quarter-note pulse. What type of metric change is this?

  1. Hemiola
  2. Polyrhythm
  3. Metric modulation Correct answer.
  4. Syncopation

Explanation

Metric modulation changes the meter while preserving a specific rhythmic value as the link between the old and new tempos. The pulse stays constant while the grouping of beats changes.

Question 16Music Theory and Composition

In a minor key, the chord built on the sixth scale degree using the natural minor scale is which quality?

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

Explanation

In natural minor, the sixth degree lies a minor third below the tonic, and the triad built on it contains a major third and perfect fifth above its root. The resulting VI chord is major.

Question 17Music Theory and Composition

Which term describes a melody that moves mostly by steps rather than by leaps?

  1. Sequential
  2. Conjunct Correct answer.
  3. Disjunct
  4. Angular

Explanation

Conjunct motion proceeds primarily by adjacent scale steps, producing a smooth melodic line. Disjunct motion, by contrast, relies on leaps between pitches.

Question 18Music Theory and Composition

A chord is spelled C, E, G, B-flat. What is the chord's quality and seventh type?

  1. Major seventh
  2. Minor seventh
  3. Half-diminished seventh
  4. Dominant seventh Correct answer.

Explanation

A major triad with a minor seventh above the root forms a dominant seventh chord. The interval from C to B-flat is a minor seventh, which distinguishes it from a major seventh chord.

Question 19Music Theory and Composition

Which cadence is described as V to vi in a major key?

  1. Deceptive cadence Correct answer.
  2. Plagal cadence
  3. Authentic cadence
  4. Phrygian half cadence

Explanation

A deceptive cadence substitutes the submediant for the expected tonic after the dominant, moving V to vi. It delays closure and often extends a phrase.

Question 20Music Theory and Composition

A composer harmonizes a melody note of scale degree 4 in a major key. Which diatonic triad is the most conventional harmonization?

  1. Supertonic
  2. Mediant
  3. Subdominant Correct answer.
  4. Tonic

Explanation

Scale degree 4 is the root of the subdominant triad, so IV is the most direct harmonization. It may also appear as the fifth of vii° or the third of ii, but the root-position subdominant is primary.

Question 21Music Theory and Composition

Which form of the minor scale is used to build the traditional V chord in minor keys?

  1. Harmonic minor Correct answer.
  2. Dorian mode
  3. Melodic minor descending
  4. Natural minor

Explanation

The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree, supplying the leading tone needed for a major V chord. Without that raised seventh, the diatonic v chord would be minor and would lack strong dominant function.

Question 22Music Theory and Composition

In a four-voice SATB texture, which voice typically carries the chord's root in a root-position triad?

  1. Tenor
  2. Soprano
  3. Alto
  4. Bass Correct answer.

Explanation

In root-position triads the bass sings the root, which anchors the harmony. The upper voices distribute the remaining chord tones, often doubling the root.

Question 23Music Theory and Composition

A passage alternates between C major and A minor chords while the melody centers on A. What relationship do the two chords have to the prevailing key?

  1. They are the tonic and subdominant
  2. They are the tonic and dominant
  3. They are the tonic and relative minor tonic Correct answer.
  4. They are the tonic and parallel minor tonic

Explanation

C major and A minor are relative keys because they share the same key signature and diatonic collection. With the melody centered on A, A minor is the tonic and C major is its relative major.

Question 24Music Theory and Composition

A chord progression moves from V7 to I in which the seventh of the V7 resolves downward by step and the leading tone resolves up to the tonic. What voice-leading principle does this illustrate?

  1. Sequential repetition
  2. Inversion
  3. Modal mixture
  4. Tendency-tone resolution Correct answer.

Explanation

Chordal sevenths resolve downward by step and leading tones resolve upward to the tonic, reflecting the tendency of these unstable tones to move to their resolution. These conventions govern conventional V7-I voice leading.

Question 25Music Theory and Composition

A theme is stated in C major, then repeated a minor third higher in E-flat major. Which transformation best describes the repeat?

  1. Tonal sequence
  2. Augmentation
  3. Real sequence Correct answer.
  4. Inversion

Explanation

A real sequence restates a pattern at a new pitch level with exact intervallic transposition, so C major moving to E-flat major preserves the intervals. A tonal sequence would adjust intervals to remain within the original key.

Question 26Music Theory and Composition

How many half steps are in a perfect fifth?

  1. 8
  2. 7 Correct answer.
  3. 6
  4. 5

Explanation

A perfect fifth spans seven half steps, as from C up to G. Counting the semitones C-C#-D-D#-E-F-F#-G confirms the total.

Question 27Music Theory and Composition

In common-practice notation, what does a tie connecting two notes of the same pitch do?

  1. Raises the second note by a half step
  2. Indicates that the second note is optional
  3. Separates the notes into two articulated attacks
  4. Combines their durations into a single sustained sound Correct answer.

Explanation

A tie joins two noteheads of identical pitch so they sound as one continuous duration equal to their sum. It is distinct from a slur, which groups different pitches for phrasing.

Question 28Music Theory and Composition

Which meter is a compound duple meter?

  1. 2/4
  2. 6/8 Correct answer.
  3. 5/4
  4. 3/4

Explanation

Compound meters divide each beat into three equal parts; 6/8 has two dotted-quarter beats, each split into three eighths. Simple duple 2/4 instead divides each beat into two.

Question 29Music Theory and Composition

What is the key signature of A major?

  1. Two sharps
  2. One sharp
  3. Three sharps Correct answer.
  4. Four sharps

Explanation

A major has F-sharp, C-sharp, and G-sharp, giving three sharps. The order of sharps follows the circle of fifths, so the third sharp is G-sharp.

Question 30Music Theory and Composition

Which interval is enharmonically equivalent to a major sixth?

  1. Minor sixth
  2. Diminished seventh Correct answer.
  3. Minor seventh
  4. Augmented fifth

Explanation

A diminished seventh spans nine half steps, the same sounding distance as a major sixth. The two intervals differ in spelling and in the diatonic context in which they appear.

Question 31Music Theory and Composition

A piece in 3/4 time changes to 3/8 without changing the tempo of the beat. Which element of the meter changes?

  1. The note value that receives the beat Correct answer.
  2. The number of beats per measure
  3. The tonic of the key
  4. The presence of syncopation

Explanation

Both 3/4 and 3/8 have three beats per measure, but the beat is represented by a quarter note in one and an eighth note in the other. The numerator, which gives the beat count, stays the same.

Question 32Music Theory and Composition

Which term describes a chord built on the second degree of a major scale?

  1. Supertonic triad Correct answer.
  2. Mediant triad
  3. Subdominant triad
  4. Tonic triad

Explanation

Scale degrees carry names: 1 tonic, 2 supertonic, 3 mediant, 4 subdominant, 5 dominant, 6 submediant, 7 leading tone. A triad built on scale degree 2 is therefore the supertonic triad.

Question 33Music Theory and Composition

What is the quality of the triad built on the leading tone of a natural minor scale?

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

Explanation

In natural minor the seventh degree lies a whole step below the tonic, so the triad built on it contains a minor third and a diminished fifth. This yields a diminished triad.

Question 34Music Theory and Composition

In a major key, which diatonic triad is built on scale degree 7?

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

Explanation

The diatonic triad on scale degree 7 in major contains a minor third and a diminished fifth above its root, making it a diminished triad. It typically functions as a dominant substitute resolving to tonic.

Question 35Music Theory and Composition

Which cadence moves from IV to I?

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

Explanation

A plagal cadence is the subdominant-to-tonic motion, often called the amen cadence. It provides closure but with less finality than a dominant-to-tonic arrival.

Question 36Music Theory and Composition

A melody in a major key outlines scale degrees 3, 5, and 1 in succession, forming a triad. Which chord does this arpeggiation spell?

  1. Supertonic triad
  2. Tonic triad Correct answer.
  3. Dominant triad
  4. Subdominant triad

Explanation

Scale degrees 3, 5, and 1 are the third, fifth, and root of the tonic triad, so the arpeggiation spells I. The same pitch classes could form other chords only if rearranged with different roots.

Question 37Music Theory and Composition

Which chord symbol represents a major-minor seventh chord built on G?

  1. G7 Correct answer.
  2. Gdim7
  3. Gm7
  4. Gmaj7

Explanation

The plain letter-plus-7 symbol denotes a dominant seventh chord, which is a major triad with a minor seventh above the root. For G that yields G, B, D, and F.

Question 38Music Theory and Composition

A four-voice chord is voiced with the third in the soprano, the root in the bass, and the fifth doubled. Which voice-leading concern does doubling the fifth help address?

  1. Adding a chromatic alteration
  2. Creating a parallel octave
  3. Avoiding a doubled leading tone Correct answer.
  4. Producing an unresolved seventh

Explanation

Doubling the fifth is a safe choice in many progressions because it avoids the tendency-tone problems of doubling the leading tone or the seventh of a chord. The leading tone, when doubled, tends to create awkward resolutions.

Question 39Music Theory and Composition

In a major key, a chord progression moves I to vi. Which Roman numeral relationship describes this motion?

  1. Tonic to subdominant
  2. Tonic to supertonic
  3. Tonic to submediant Correct answer.
  4. Tonic to mediant

Explanation

The sixth degree of a major scale is the submediant, so the triad built on it is labeled vi. The motion from I to vi is a tonic-to-submediant progression.

Question 40Music Theory and Composition

Which scale contains the same pitch classes as its relative major but begins on a different tonic?

  1. Natural minor Correct answer.
  2. Harmonic minor
  3. Melodic minor ascending
  4. Whole-tone scale

Explanation

Natural minor shares its key signature and pitch classes with its relative major, differing only in which pitch is treated as tonic. Harmonic and melodic minor alter degrees and therefore differ in pitch content.

Question 41Music Theory and Composition

A composer writes a passage using only the pitches of a pentatonic scale. Which interval is absent from the major pentatonic scale?

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

Explanation

The major pentatonic scale is built from scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, which contains no semitone above any of its members. The minor second is therefore absent, giving the scale its open, consonant character.

Question 42Music Theory and Composition

Which harmonic function does a chord built on scale degree 5 typically serve in tonal music?

  1. Dominant function Correct answer.
  2. Predominant function
  3. Chromatic function
  4. Tonic function

Explanation

The triad on scale degree 5 contains the leading tone and is the primary dominant-function chord, driving resolution to tonic. Its tritone-bearing seventh form strengthens that pull.

Question 43Music Theory and Composition

A two-voice passage moves from a major sixth to an octave in similar motion with the upper voice moving by step. What is this contrapuntal motion called?

  1. Oblique motion
  2. Parallel motion
  3. Similar motion to an imperfect consonance
  4. Contrary motion Correct answer.

Explanation

When one voice ascends and the other descends, the motion is contrary. Approaching an octave by contrary motion with stepwise outer voice is the standard acceptable resolution.

Question 44Music Theory and Composition

Which chord quality results when a major triad's fifth is raised by a half step?

  1. Augmented triad Correct answer.
  2. Minor triad
  3. Major seventh chord
  4. Diminished triad

Explanation

Raising the fifth of a major triad by a semitone produces an augmented triad, which consists of two stacked major thirds. The augmented fifth is the defining feature.

Question 45Music Theory and Composition

In sonata form, which section typically presents the primary and secondary themes in the tonic and then in a related key?

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

Explanation

The exposition introduces the main thematic material, moving from the tonic to a related key for the secondary theme. The recapitulation later restates both themes in the tonic.

Question 46Music Theory and Composition

A melody is harmonized so that each chord change falls on a strong beat while non-chord tones appear on weak beats. Which principle does this illustrate?

  1. Polytonal layering
  2. Syncopation across the barline
  3. Modal mixture
  4. Harmonic rhythm aligned with metric accent Correct answer.

Explanation

Placing chord changes on strong beats aligns harmonic rhythm with the metric hierarchy, clarifying the harmony. Non-chord tones on weak beats then function as passing or neighbor figures.

Question 47Music Theory and Composition

Which transformation describes a theme restated at twice its original rhythmic values while keeping the same pitches?

  1. Inversion
  2. Diminution
  3. Retrograde
  4. Augmentation Correct answer.

Explanation

Augmentation lengthens each note value, typically doubling durations, while preserving pitch content. Diminution is the opposite process, shortening the values.

Question 48Music Theory and Composition

A passage in a minor key uses the raised sixth and seventh degrees ascending but the natural sixth and seventh descending. Which scale is being employed?

  1. Melodic minor Correct answer.
  2. Whole-tone scale
  3. Harmonic minor
  4. Natural minor

Explanation

Melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees ascending to smooth the approach to tonic, then reverts to natural minor descending. Harmonic minor would raise the seventh in both directions.

Question 49Music Theory and Composition

In a four-part chorale, a V7 chord resolves to I and the chordal seventh is placed in an inner voice. Which resolution is required for that seventh?

  1. Upward by step to the fifth of the tonic chord
  2. Downward by leap to the root of the tonic chord
  3. Held as a common tone into the tonic chord
  4. Downward by step to the third of the tonic chord Correct answer.

Explanation

The chordal seventh of a dominant seventh is a tendency tone that resolves down by step. In a V7 to I resolution it moves to the third of the tonic triad.

Question 50Music Theory and Composition

A chord progression uses the Neapolitan sixth chord. Which Roman numeral and quality describe it in a major key?

  1. A major triad built on the lowered second degree, in first inversion Correct answer.
  2. A minor triad built on the lowered second degree, in root position
  3. A major triad built on the lowered sixth degree, in root position
  4. A diminished triad built on the raised fourth degree, in first inversion

Explanation

The Neapolitan chord is a major triad on the lowered second scale degree, conventionally used in first inversion (hence the sixth). It typically functions as a predominant leading to V.