Question 1: Define the term 'harmony' in music and explain its importance in a musical piece.

Answer: Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce a pleasing sound. It adds depth and emotion to music, supporting the melody and creating mood.

Question 2: Identify the type of chord (major or minor) in a progression that moves from a C major chord to an A minor chord.

Answer: The progression moves from a major chord to a minor chord, specifically from C major to A minor, which are relative keys sharing the same note set but differing in tonal quality.

Question 3: Listen to a chorus where the harmony shifts from a simple I-IV-V progression to a more complex ii-V-I progression. Describe how this change affects the overall mood of the piece.

Answer: The shift from I-IV-V to ii-V-I creates a sense of progression and resolution. The ii-V-I is more sophisticated and often sounds more resolved and satisfying, giving the music a sense of movement towards a conclusion.

Question 4: Describe what a 'dissonant' harmony sounds like and give an example of a dissonant interval.

Answer: Dissonant harmony sounds tense or unstable, often creating a feeling of tension that seeks resolution. An example of a dissonant interval is a minor second, such as the notes C and C# played together.

Question 5: Sketch a simple harmonic progression consisting of four chords that would typically support a joyful, upbeat song. Label each chord with its root note and chord quality.

Answer: A correct sketch would show four chords: C major, F major, G major, and C major, arranged in a common I-IV-V-I progression. Labels should include root notes and chord types.

Question 6: Listen to a melodic line and describe how the harmony supports the melody. What effect does the harmony have on the mood?

Answer: The harmony supports the melody by providing a consonant background, creating a stable and uplifting mood. For example, major chords emphasize happiness and brightness, while minor chords add a somber or reflective quality.

Question 7: Explain the difference between consonant and dissonant chords, providing an example of each.

Answer: Consonant chords sound stable and pleasing, such as a C major chord. Dissonant chords create tension and sound unstable, such as a C and C# played together in a chord cluster.

Question 8: Draw a treble clef staff with a chord built on the notes G, B, and D. Label each note and identify the chord type.

Answer: A correct drawing would show a G major chord (G-B-D) on the staff, with notes correctly placed on the lines/spaces, each labeled, and the chord identified as 'G major'.

Question 9: Identify the harmonic function of the following chords in a typical major key: the chord built on the fourth degree, and the chord built on the fifth degree.

Answer: In a major key, the chord on the fourth degree is the subdominant (IV), which creates a sense of departure or tension, and the chord on the fifth degree is the dominant (V), which creates tension and leads back to the tonic, creating a feeling of resolution.

Question 10: Describe how the use of modal harmony differs from traditional major/minor harmony, and give an example of a modal scale.

Answer: Modal harmony uses scales that are different from the major and minor scales, often emphasizing different tonal qualities. For example, the D Dorian scale (D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D) has a minor feel but with a raised sixth, creating a distinct sound compared to natural minor.

Question 11: Explain what a 'cadence' is in harmony and describe the difference between an imperfect and a perfect cadence.

Answer: A cadence is a sequence of chords that concludes a phrase or section of music. An imperfect cadence ends on the V chord, sounding incomplete, while a perfect cadence ends on the I chord, providing a sense of finality and resolution.