Chord Symbols

Description: Test your knowledge of Chord Symbols used in music theory.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: music theory chord symbols music notation
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What does the chord symbol C represent?

  1. C major triad

  2. C minor triad

  3. C augmented triad

  4. C diminished triad


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The chord symbol C represents a C major triad, which consists of the notes C, E, and G.

What is the difference between a major and a minor chord?

  1. Major chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  2. Minor chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  3. Major chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth

  4. Minor chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The difference between a major and a minor chord is in the interval between the root and the third. In a major chord, the interval is a major third (4 semitones), while in a minor chord, the interval is a minor third (3 semitones).

What does the chord symbol G7 represent?

  1. G major seventh chord

  2. G minor seventh chord

  3. G augmented seventh chord

  4. G diminished seventh chord


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The chord symbol G7 represents a G dominant seventh chord, which consists of the notes G, B, D, and F.

What is the function of a dominant seventh chord in music?

  1. To resolve to the tonic chord

  2. To resolve to the subdominant chord

  3. To resolve to the mediant chord

  4. To resolve to the submediant chord


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The function of a dominant seventh chord is to resolve to the tonic chord. This is because the dominant seventh chord contains a leading tone, which creates a strong sense of tension that is resolved when the chord moves to the tonic.

What does the chord symbol Cm represent?

  1. C major triad

  2. C minor triad

  3. C augmented triad

  4. C diminished triad


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The chord symbol Cm represents a C minor triad, which consists of the notes C, Eb, and G.

What is the difference between a diminished and an augmented chord?

  1. Diminished chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  2. Augmented chords have a wider interval between the root and the third

  3. Diminished chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth

  4. Augmented chords have a wider interval between the third and the fifth


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The difference between a diminished and an augmented chord is in the interval between the third and the fifth. In a diminished chord, the interval is a diminished fifth (6 semitones), while in an augmented chord, the interval is an augmented fifth (8 semitones).

What does the chord symbol F#m7b5 represent?

  1. F# minor seventh chord with a flatted fifth

  2. F# minor seventh chord with a sharped fifth

  3. F# major seventh chord with a flatted fifth

  4. F# major seventh chord with a sharped fifth


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The chord symbol F#m7b5 represents an F# minor seventh chord with a flatted fifth, which consists of the notes F#, A#, C#, and Eb.

What is the function of a subdominant chord in music?

  1. To resolve to the tonic chord

  2. To resolve to the dominant chord

  3. To resolve to the mediant chord

  4. To resolve to the submediant chord


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The function of a subdominant chord is to resolve to the dominant chord. This is because the subdominant chord contains a perfect fourth, which creates a sense of tension that is resolved when the chord moves to the dominant.

What does the chord symbol Gsus4 represent?

  1. G suspended fourth chord

  2. G major seventh chord

  3. G minor seventh chord

  4. G augmented seventh chord


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The chord symbol Gsus4 represents a G suspended fourth chord, which consists of the notes G, C, and D.

What is the difference between a sus2 and a sus4 chord?

  1. Sus2 chords have a wider interval between the root and the second

  2. Sus4 chords have a wider interval between the root and the second

  3. Sus2 chords have a wider interval between the second and the fourth

  4. Sus4 chords have a wider interval between the second and the fourth


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The difference between a sus2 and a sus4 chord is in the interval between the root and the second. In a sus2 chord, the interval is a major second (2 semitones), while in a sus4 chord, the interval is a perfect fourth (5 semitones).

What does the chord symbol Cmaj7 represent?

  1. C major triad

  2. C minor triad

  3. C major seventh chord

  4. C minor seventh chord


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The chord symbol Cmaj7 represents a C major seventh chord, which consists of the notes C, E, G, and B.

What is the function of a tonic chord in music?

  1. To resolve to the dominant chord

  2. To resolve to the subdominant chord

  3. To resolve to the mediant chord

  4. To resolve to the submediant chord


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The function of a tonic chord is to resolve to the dominant chord. This is because the tonic chord contains a perfect fifth, which creates a sense of stability that is resolved when the chord moves to the dominant.

What does the chord symbol Dm7 represent?

  1. D minor triad

  2. D minor seventh chord

  3. D major seventh chord

  4. D augmented seventh chord


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The chord symbol Dm7 represents a D minor seventh chord, which consists of the notes D, F, A, and C.

What is the difference between a major and a minor seventh chord?

  1. Major seventh chords have a wider interval between the root and the seventh

  2. Minor seventh chords have a wider interval between the root and the seventh

  3. Major seventh chords have a wider interval between the third and the seventh

  4. Minor seventh chords have a wider interval between the third and the seventh


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The difference between a major and a minor seventh chord is in the interval between the root and the seventh. In a major seventh chord, the interval is a major seventh (11 semitones), while in a minor seventh chord, the interval is a minor seventh (10 semitones).

What does the chord symbol Edim represent?

  1. E major triad

  2. E minor triad

  3. E diminished triad

  4. E augmented triad


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The chord symbol Edim represents an E diminished triad, which consists of the notes E, G, and Bb.

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