Music Theory in the Blues

Which of these scales is a "Pentatonic" scale?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Pentagon = 5 sided shape

Pentatonic = 5 note scale

Which of these scales is C Major

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

C Major has no flats or sharps

This is the Blues Pentatonic. Pentatonic scales have 5 notes. This has an extra note referred to as "passing note". Which note is the passing note?

• C

• E-flat

• F-sharp

• B-flat

Answer explanation

The F# is the only note that is not a natural or a flat. It stands out when you look at the scale.

The C Blues chord pattern has three chords in it (referred to as Primary Chords). Of these chords, which one is not a "primary chord" of C Major?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

The Primary chords of C Major are C, F and G. Always look at the bottom note to see what the chord is.

Which of these rhythms represent a "Swing" drum beat?

• A

• B

• C

• None of the Above

Answer explanation

The X's in this music represent the cymbal playing. The reading of the rhythm for the Cymbals is "Ta - Doova - Ta - Doova"

A walking bass is best described as...

• A bass line made up of apreggiated chords (arpeggios)

• A bass line made up of a funky lick

• A bass line with a memorable tune like a melody

• A bass line of many repeating notes in a rhythmic pattern.

Answer explanation

Can you identify an arpeggio? Consider the chord played as separate notes instead of as a group (chord).

Which of these bass lines represents a "walking bass"?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Notice the way the chord is being played by the bass player but one note at a time.

This is a G Blues where the G, C and D represent the chords found in a common 12 bar blues pattern. What is the missing chord?

• G

• C

• D

• None of the above

Chords are often indicated in music by Roman Numerals. What is the missing Roman Numeral from this chord diagram?

• I

• IV

• V

• None of the Above

The Blues sounds like the Blues because of ......

• The combination of a melody based on a Major scale combined with Minor chords

• The combination of a melody based on a minor scale combined with Major chords

• The combination of a melody based on a Major scale combined with Major chords

• The combination of a melody based on a Minor scale combined with Minor chords

Answer explanation

Blues Pentatonic is just a "natural minor" scale with a few notes left out (and the addition of the passing note)