Question 1: Describe the pattern of whole and half steps in a major scale. How does it differ from a natural minor scale?

Answer: A major scale follows the pattern: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. A natural minor scale has the pattern: whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step. The main difference is the third, sixth, and seventh intervals, which are lowered by a half step in the minor scale.

Question 2: Identify whether the following sequence of notes constitutes a major or minor scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.

Answer: This sequence is a C major scale, as it follows the pattern of whole and half steps for a major scale and contains no flattened notes.

Question 3: Explain what is meant by the term 'scale degree' and give an example using the G major scale.

Answer: A 'scale degree' refers to the position of a note within a scale, numbered from 1 (tonic) to 7. For example, in the G major scale, G is the 1st degree, A the 2nd, B the 3rd, and so on.

Question 4: Listen carefully to a melody that predominantly uses the notes D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D. What scale is this melody based on?

Answer: The melody is based on the D major scale, which contains the notes D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D.

Question 5: Draw a diagram of the pattern of whole and half steps in a natural minor scale. Label each step as 'whole' or 'half'.

Answer: A diagram showing the pattern: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The diagram should have seven segments, each labeled accordingly, starting from the tonic.

Question 6: List three key differences between a major scale and a harmonic minor scale.

Answer: 1. The major scale has a raised 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees compared to the natural minor. 2. The harmonic minor raises the 7th degree by a half step, creating a leading tone. 3. The interval between the 6th and 7th degrees in the harmonic minor is a half step, whereas in the major scale, the interval between these degrees is a whole step.

Question 7: Identify the scale type based on the following description: a scale that has a flattened 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees relative to the major scale.

Answer: This is a natural minor scale.

Question 8: Using the key of A minor, write out the notes of the ascending natural minor scale.

Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.

Question 9: Explain the purpose of using different scales (major, minor, modal) in music composition.

Answer: Different scales create various emotional effects and tonal colours. Major scales often sound happy or bright, minor scales sound sad or somber, and modal scales can produce unique, ancient, or exotic sounds, adding variety and expression to compositions.

Question 10: Sketch a simple diagram showing the relationship between the tonic, dominant, and subdominant notes in a scale. Label each note.

Answer: A diagram with three points labeled: Tonic (root note), Dominant (five steps above tonic), and Subdominant (four steps below tonic). For example, in C major: C (tonic), G (dominant), F (subdominant).