HS Music (General) practice questions and exam guide

Two notes of the same pitch joined by a curved line that adds their durations together is called a:

1. Slur
2. Phrase mark
3. Fermata
4. Tie

Answer: D — Tie

D) A tie connects two notes of the SAME pitch, summing durations. A) A slur connects notes of DIFFERENT pitches and indicates legato. B) Marks a phrase grouping. C) Holds a single note.

Composers of the Baroque period (~1600-1750) include:

1. Bach (J.S.), Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann — ornate, polyphonic style, counterpoint, basso continuo
2. Beethoven
3. Brahms
4. Stravinsky
5. Schoenberg

Answer: A — Bach (J.S.), Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann — ornate, polyphonic style, counterpoint, basso continuo

Baroque era: ornate, counterpoint-driven. Major composers: J.S. Bach (Brandenburg Concertos, Mass in B Minor), Handel (Messiah), Vivaldi (Four Seasons), Telemann, Purcell. Features: basso continuo, ornate melodic lines, fugues, dance suites. Tonal harmony solidified.

A first-inversion C major triad places which note in the bass?

1. C
2. G
3. B
4. E

Answer: D — E

D) First inversion puts the THIRD (E) in the bass; root position has C in the bass (A); second inversion has G in the bass (B). C) B is not in a C major triad.

Seventh chords:

1. Have no use
2. Only one type
3. Triad with added 7th — major 7 (C-E-G-B), dominant 7 (C-E-G-Bb, especially V7→I), minor 7 (C-Eb-G-Bb), half-diminished (C-Eb-Gb-Bb), fully-diminished (C-Eb-Gb-Bbb) — common in jazz, classical, and other styles
4. Just sevenths only

Answer: C — Triad with added 7th — major 7 (C-E-G-B), dominant 7 (C-E-G-Bb, especially V7→I), minor 7 (C-Eb-G-Bb), half-diminished (C-Eb-Gb-Bb), fully-diminished (C-Eb-Gb-Bbb) — common in jazz, classical, and other styles

C) Standard chord types. A/B/D) Each is incomplete.

The harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale by:

1. Raising the 6th scale degree only
2. Raising the 7th scale degree only (creating a leading tone)
3. Lowering the 3rd scale degree
4. Raising both the 6th and 7th degrees ascending

Answer: B — Raising the 7th scale degree only (creating a leading tone)

B) Harmonic minor raises ^7 to create a leading tone, producing the distinctive augmented-second between ^6 and raised ^7. A) Not standard. C) Already lowered in natural minor. D) Describes melodic minor ascending.

In 6/8 time, the measure most naturally divides into:

1. Six equal beats grouped 3+3
2. Two main beats, each containing three eighth notes (compound duple meter)
3. Three quarter-note beats
4. Four eighth-note beats

Answer: B — Two main beats, each containing three eighth notes (compound duple meter)

B) 6/8 is compound duple: two dotted-quarter beats per measure, each subdivided into three eighths. A) Describes 6/8 counted slowly, but the felt meter is in 2. C) Describes 3/4 (simple triple). D) Doesn't fit 6/8.

Jazz improvisation:

1. Only Bach
2. Has no method
3. Random notes
4. Real-time composition over chord progressions — soloists use scales (modes, blues, bebop), arpeggios, motifs, quotes, rhythmic variations; requires knowledge of harmony, ear training, listening, transcription, repertoire (standards); central feature of jazz

Answer: D — Real-time composition over chord progressions — soloists use scales (modes, blues, bebop), arpeggios, motifs, quotes, rhythmic variations; requires knowledge of harmony, ear training, listening, transcription, repertoire (standards); central feature of jazz

D) Standard. A/B/C) Each is incorrect.

A major triad consists of:

1. Root + major 6th
2. Two notes
3. Three random notes
4. Root + major 3rd + perfect 5th (e.g., C-E-G); has bright, stable sound
5. Just sharps

Answer: D — Root + major 3rd + perfect 5th (e.g., C-E-G); has bright, stable sound

Triad: 3-note chord. Major: root + major 3rd (4 half steps) + perfect 5th (7). Minor: root + minor 3rd (3 half steps) + perfect 5th. Diminished: root + minor 3rd + diminished 5th (6). Augmented: root + major 3rd + augmented 5th (8). Foundation of harmony.

Conducting basics:

1. Only beats time
2. Has no role
3. Random
4. Beat patterns (2/4, 3/4, 4/4 different patterns), cuing entrances, indicating dynamics and expression, eye contact with musicians, score study, communication during rehearsals; leads ensemble through interpretation and coordination

Answer: D — Beat patterns (2/4, 3/4, 4/4 different patterns), cuing entrances, indicating dynamics and expression, eye contact with musicians, score study, communication during rehearsals; leads ensemble through interpretation and coordination

D) Standard. A/B/C) Each is incomplete.

A symphony is most accurately described as:

1. A short solo piano piece
2. An extended orchestral composition, usually in four movements
3. A type of opera
4. A type of jazz arrangement

Answer: B — An extended orchestral composition, usually in four movements

Symphonies are large-scale orchestral works, traditionally in four movements (often Fast-Slow-Dance-Fast).

Intervals (notes apart):

1. Random
2. Only octaves
3. Only one type
4. Unison (0 half steps), minor 2nd (1), major 2nd (2), minor 3rd (3), major 3rd (4), perfect 4th (5), tritone (6), perfect 5th (7), minor 6th (8), major 6th (9), minor 7th (10), major 7th (11), octave (12) — foundation of melody and harmony

Answer: D — Unison (0 half steps), minor 2nd (1), major 2nd (2), minor 3rd (3), major 3rd (4), perfect 4th (5), tritone (6), perfect 5th (7), minor 6th (8), major 6th (9), minor 7th (10), major 7th (11), octave (12) — foundation of melody and harmony

D) Standard. A/B/C) Each is incomplete.

A major scale follows which pattern of whole (W) and half (H) steps?

1. W-W-H-W-W-W-H
2. W-H-W-W-H-W-W
3. H-W-W-H-W-W-W
4. W-W-W-W-H-H-W

Answer: A — W-W-H-W-W-W-H

Major scale pattern (e.g., C major): C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C → W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

Order of sharps?

F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# ("Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle").

Music therapy?

Use of music to address physical/emotional/cognitive needs. Helps with autism, dementia, mental health.

Hip-hop origins?

1970s Bronx. DJing, MCing, breakdancing, graffiti. Kool Herc credited as founder.

Bass clef lines?

GBDFA (Good Boys Do Fine Always).

Opera?

Drama with music. Singing throughout. Mozart, Verdi, Wagner masters.

20th century music?

Diverse. Impressionism (Debussy), serialism (Schoenberg), minimalism (Reich), jazz/rock/pop.