Songwriters Songwriters Melody and Harmony Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is a melodic sequence in songwriting?

Accepted Answer

A repeated melodic pattern transposed to different pitch levels

Answer

A chord progression that repeats without change

Answer

A rhythm pattern played on percussion only

Answer

A vocal technique for sustaining long notes

Question 2

Which interval is most commonly associated with creating tension in a melody before resolving?

Accepted Answer

Minor second

Answer

Perfect fifth

Answer

Major third

Answer

Perfect octave

Question 3

In popular songwriting, what does 'contrary motion' between melody and bass refer to?

Accepted Answer

The melody moves up while the bass moves down, or vice versa

Answer

Both parts move in the same direction at different speeds

Answer

The melody and bass play the same notes in different octaves

Answer

One part holds a note while the other rests

Question 4

What is a 'pedal tone' and how does it function in songwriting harmony?

Accepted Answer

A sustained or repeated note held while chords change above it

Answer

A tone that only appears at the end of a phrase

Answer

A chromatic note added between two diatonic chords

Answer

A bass note that always matches the root of each chord

Question 5

Which harmonic technique do songwriters use when they borrow a chord from the parallel minor key in a major key song?

Accepted Answer

Modal interchange

Answer

Secondary dominants

Answer

Tritone substitution

Answer

Chromatic mediant

Question 6

What distinguishes a 'blue note' when used in a songwriter's melody?

Accepted Answer

It is a note bent or flattened slightly from the standard major scale degree

Answer

It is any note played on a blue-colored instrument

Answer

It is the seventh degree of a natural minor scale

Answer

It is a note that only appears in jazz compositions