Question 1: Define the term 'harmony' in music and explain its importance in composition.

Answer: Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce a pleasing sound. It provides depth and support to the melody, creating emotional and structural context within a piece.

Question 2: Identify whether the following chord progression is in a major or minor key: C major, A minor, D minor, G major.

Answer: The progression predominantly suggests a composition in C major or A minor, as the chords are diatonic to both keys. The presence of G major indicates a likely major key (C major).

Question 3: Listen carefully (hypothetically) to a piece where a chord changes from a C major chord to an A minor chord. Describe how this change affects the mood of the music.

Answer: Changing from C major to A minor introduces a more somber or reflective mood, as minor chords generally evoke sadness or introspection compared to the brighter, happier sound of major chords.

Question 4: Sketch a simple harmonic progression using four chords in the key of G major. Label each chord with its Roman numeral analysis.

Answer: A correct sketch would show four chords: I (G major), IV (C major), V (D major), I (G major). The chords are arranged sequentially, with Roman numerals indicating their function within the key.

Question 5: Explain what a 'cadence' is in harmony, and describe the difference between an imperfect and a perfect cadence.

Answer: A cadence is a harmonic ending or pause in a musical phrase. A perfect cadence (V-I) provides a strong sense of finality, often used at the end of a piece. An imperfect cadence (any chord ending on V) sounds incomplete or unresolved.

Question 6: Identify the chord quality (major, minor, diminished, augmented) in the following description: A chord built on the second degree of a scale, consisting of a root, minor third, and perfect fifth.

Answer: This describes a minor chord built on the supertonic (second degree), so the chord quality is minor.

Question 7: Listen to a section where the harmony shifts from a simple I-IV-V progression to a more complex sequence involving secondary dominants. What effect does this have on the overall harmonic interest?

Answer: The inclusion of secondary dominants creates a sense of tension and release, making the harmony more interesting and providing a richer harmonic language beyond basic progressions.

Question 8: Describe what a 'dissonance' is in harmony and give an example of a dissonant interval.

Answer: Dissonance is a combination of notes that creates tension or a sense of instability, which usually resolves to a consonant sound. An example is a minor second interval, such as C and C# played together.

Question 9: Draw a chord diagram for a C major seventh chord. In your sketch, label all the notes involved.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the notes C, E, G, and B arranged in a chord diagram, with labels indicating each note's position within the chord.

Question 10: Explain how harmonic rhythm influences the feel of a piece of music, providing an example of fast and slow harmonic changes.

Answer: Harmonic rhythm refers to the rate at which chords change. Faster harmonic rhythm creates a sense of excitement or tension, while slower changes provide stability and relaxation. For example, quick chord changes in a jazz improvisation increase energy, whereas slow changes in a ballad create a calm atmosphere.

Question 11: Identify the key features that distinguish a modulation from one key to another within a piece of music.

Answer: A modulation involves a change from the original key to a different key, often achieved through pivot chords or direct modulation. Features include a change in tonal centre, new key signatures, and altered harmonic or melodic material that signals the shift.