Music Theory Quiz

What is a half step (or “semitone”)?

• The distance from one white key to the next white key

• The distance from one key on the keyboard to the next adjacent (neighbor) key

• The distance from one black key to the next black key

• The distance from one white key to the next black key

Are half steps always from a white key to a black key?

• Yes

• No

• Only on certain keyboards

• Only in certain scales

What is a whole step (or “whole tone” or simply “tone”)?

• The same distance as one half step

• The same distance as two half steps

• The distance from one white key to the next white key

• The distance from one black key to the next black key

What is an accidental?

• A sign used to raise or lower the duration of a note

• A sign used to raise or lower the pitch of a note

• A sign used to change the dynamics of a note

• A sign used to indicate the tempo of a piece

What does a flat do to a note?

• Raises it by a half step

• Lowers it by a half step

• Raises it by a whole step

• Lowers it by a whole step

What does a sharp do to a note?

• Raises it by a half step

• Lowers it by a half step

• Raises it by a whole step

• Lowers it by a whole step

What is the black key between C and D called?

• C# only

• Db only

• C# or Db

What is it called when a certain pitch has multiple names?

• Harmonic spelling

• Enharmonic spelling

• Polyphonic spelling

• Tonal spelling

What does a natural do to a note?

• Cancels out any accidental and returns a note to its original pitch

• Raises the note by a whole step

• Lowers the note by a whole step

• Changes the duration of the note