Viva Voce - General 2026

How to form a pentatonic scale

Using degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 of the major scale

Accidentals in B Major

F# C# G# D# A#

Accidentals in Db Major

Bb Eb Ab Db Gb

Accidentals in G# Harmonic Minor

F## C# G# D# A# (5# from B and raised 7th F#—>F##

Accidentals in Bb Harmonic Minor

Bb Eb Db Gb (5b from Db and raised 7th Ab—>A natural)

Accidentals in A Melodic Minor

F# G# on the way up, lowered on the way down

Accidentals in E Major

F# C# G# D#

How do you form a harmonic minor scale?

Take the key of the relatice major and raise the 7th one semitone

How do you form a melodic minor scale?

Take the key of the relative major and raise the 6th & 7th degree on the way up and lower them on the way down

What is the pattern of chords used in the primary triads?

1 5 1 4 1 4 5 1

What is the difference between similar motion and contrary motion?

Similar motion is when music is played in the same direction whereas contrary motion moves in the opposite direction

What are the notes used in an arpeggio?

1 3 5 8

What are the notes used in a blues scale

1 3b 4 4# 5 7b 8

What would you use a blues scale for?

Improv, fills, intros/endings, and melodies

What would you use a pentatonic scale for?

Fills, melodies, intros/endings

Where are the semitones in a major scale?

Between the 3rd & 4th degrees and 7th & 8th degrees

Where are the semitones in a harmonic minor scale?

Between the 2nd & 3rd, 5th & 6th, and 7th & 8th

How many times can you invert a major chord?

Twice

How many times can you invert a 7th chord?

Three times

Major chord degrees

1 3 5

Minor chord degrees

1 3b 5

Augmented chord degrees

1 3 5#

Diminished chord degrees

1 3b 5b 7bb