music beginner 10 sample questions

Scales And Modes MCQ Practice Test

Tonal patterns and variations

Q1. A piece begins in C-sharp minor, then modulates to a key whose relative major uses the same tonic as the augmented sixth chord built on the submediant of the original key. Which mode, relative to the *new* tonic, best describes the harmonic progression if the passage following the modulation predominantly utilizes chords with a characteristic Phrygian sound, while incorporating a leading-tone cadence to the tonic in the new key?

Explanation: The submediant of C-sharp minor is A-sharp. An augmented sixth chord built on A-sharp is A-sharp-C-sharp-E. The tonic of the relative major using this E as the tonic is E major. A passage utilizing a Phrygian sound, but ultimately resolving to E major with a leading-tone cadence, is best characterized by the Phrygian Dominant mode (E Phrygian Dominant = E F# G# A B C# D#). Note that while elements of the other scales might appear, the overall description best fits the Phrygian Dominant mode given its characteristic 'borrowed' leading tone and flattened 2nd and 6th degrees.

Q2. Which mode is produced by playing the notes of a C major scale from D to D?

Explanation: Playing the white keys of the piano from D to D produces the Dorian mode, the classic second mode of the major scale.

Q3. A composer uses the following intervals from the tonic: major second, minor third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, minor sixth, minor seventh. Which mode does this describe?

Explanation: The intervals 1, 2, flat-3, 4, 5, flat-6, flat-7 form the natural minor scale - the Aeolian mode. Mixolydian has a major sixth, Lydian a raised fourth, and Phrygian a flat second.

Q4. Which of the following modes is the 7th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale?

Explanation: The 7th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale is the Locrian ℘ mode. This is because the Locrian ℘ mode is the mode that starts on the 7th scale degree of the Harmonic Minor scale. The Harmonic Minor scale has a raised 7th scale degree, which is a characteristic of the Locrian ℘ mode. The Aeolian ℘ mode is the 6th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale, and the Phrygian Dominant mode is not a mode of the Harmonic Minor scale.

Q5. A "Phrygian Dominant" scale is derived from the 1st mode of which harmonic minor scale?

Explanation: The Phrygian Dominant scale is a mode of the harmonic minor scale. The 1st mode of the harmonic minor scale of Eµ major is the Phrygian Dominant scale, which is Eµ - Fµ - G - A - B - C - Dµ - Eµ.

Q6. A "Petruska" scale is a type of scale that is used in the music of Stravinsky, and it is related to the harmonic minor scale. Which of the following modes is a possible "Petruska" scale?

Explanation: The "Petruska" scale is a specific type of scale that is used in Stravinsky's "Petrushka" ballet, and it is related to the harmonic minor scale. It is a variation of the Locrian mode with a flatted 3rd, which gives it a unique sound and flavor.

Q7. In the key of C minor, which chord functions as the dominant (V) in the most common cadences?

Explanation: In harmonic minor the 7th degree is raised (B natural in C minor), making the dominant a major triad, G-B-D, whose leading tone resolves strongly to the tonic C minor. The natural-minor v (G minor) lacks this pull.

Q8. Which of the following modes is the absolute minor of the 5th mode of the harmonic minor scale?

Explanation: The 5th mode of the A harmonic minor scale is E harmonic minor, which has the notes E, F°, G, A, B, C°, D. The absolute minor of E is E natural minor, which has the notes E, F, G, A, B, C, D. The Phrygian dominant mode has the same notes as the E natural minor scale, making it the absolute minor of the 5th mode of the E harmonic minor scale.

Q9. Which sequence of pitches forms the C harmonic minor scale?

Explanation: The harmonic minor scale is the natural minor with a raised seventh degree: C D Eb F G Ab B C, where B natural acts as the leading tone. The old key (C D Eb F G Ab Bb C) is the natural minor; the correct form was not among the original options.

Q10. Which of the following modes is the 6th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale?

Explanation: The Harmonic Minor scale has the following formula: 1, 2, °3, 4, 5, °6, 7. The 6th mode of this scale is the Locrian ℘ mode, which has the formula: 1, ℘2, ℘3, 4, 5, ℘6, 7.

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Scales And Modes MCQ Practice Test | Mind Hustle