Music Transcription Melodic and Interval Recognition Questions and Answers

Question 1

You hear two notes played in succession. The first note is C4 (middle C) and the second note is A4. Which melodic interval has been played?

Accepted Answer

Major Sixth

Answer

Perfect Fifth

Answer

Minor Seventh

Answer

Major Third

Question 2

While transcribing a solo flute passage, you notice the melody begins on a low note, rises to a single peak, and then returns to a low note. Which term best describes this melodic contour?

Accepted Answer

Arch

Answer

Descending

Answer

Wave

Answer

Static

Question 3

Which of the following intervals is considered a 'perfect' interval, as opposed to major or minor?

Accepted Answer

Fourth

Answer

Third

Answer

Sixth

Answer

Seventh

Question 4

You are transcribing a simple folk melody in C Major. You hear a three-note melodic fragment that moves from G up to B and then down to A. How would you describe this motion in terms of scale degrees?

Accepted Answer

Dominant -> Leading Tone -> Submediant

Answer

Tonic -> Mediant -> Supertonic

Answer

Subdominant -> Submediant -> Dominant

Answer

Mediant -> Dominant -> Subdominant

Question 5

In a melodic dictation exercise, you hear an ascending interval from F to B. This interval is highly dissonant and has a strong tendency to resolve. What is this interval called, and what is its most likely resolution?

Accepted Answer

Augmented Fourth (Tritone), resolving outward to a Major Sixth

Answer

Minor Sixth, resolving inward to a Perfect Fifth

Answer

Major Seventh, resolving outward to a Perfect Octave

Answer

Diminished Fifth (Tritone), resolving inward to a Minor Third

Question 6

What is the primary difference a transcriber must listen for to distinguish between a melodic interval and a harmonic interval?

Accepted Answer

Whether the notes are played sequentially or simultaneously.

Answer

The dynamic level at which the notes are played.

Answer

The timbre of the instrument playing the notes.

Answer

The duration of the notes being played.