Study Notes for the Academic Decathlon Music Section I Test

United States Academic Decathlon: Music Section I Test - Basic Elements of Music Theory 2025-2026

Instructions

Mark the lettered space (a, b, c, d, or e) on your answer sheet that BEST completes or answers the following test items.

Test Items

Note Identification
- Question: What kind of note has a solid black oval note head and a stem?
- Options:
  a. 16th note
  b. quarter note
  c. eighth note
  d. whole note
  e. half note
Minor Triad Construction
- Question: From the bottom up, what kinds of thirds make up a minor triad?
- Options:
  a. major, major
  b. minor, minor
  c. minor, major
  d. major, minor
  e. minor, diminished
Composer Focus
- Question: Which composer sought to redefine music by categorizing noises?
- Options:
  a. Debussy
  b. Cowell
  c. Russolo
  d. Stravinsky
  e. Cage
Key Signature Identification
- Question: What is the key signature for C minor?
- Options:
  a. 3 flats
  b. 3 sharps
  c. 4 flats
  d. 4 sharps
  e. 0 sharps or flats
Texture Definition
- Question: The texture that includes a melody and an accompaniment at the same time is
- Options:
  a. polyphony
  b. unison
  c. heterophony
  d. homophony
  e. monophony
Instrument Classification
- Question: Sachs and Hornbostel categorized instruments into the following groups EXCEPT
- Options:
  a. chordophones
  b. metalophones
  c. aerophones
  d. membranophones
  e. idiophones
Scale Degree Terminology
- Question: What is the term associated with the chord built on the 2nd degree of a scale?
- Options:
  a. dominant
  b. mediant
  c. tonic
  d. supertonic
  e. sub-dominant
Interval Identification
- Question: What is the interval from C up to F# called?
- Options:
  a. a perfect 4th
  b. an augmented 4th
  c. a minor 3rd
  d. a perfect 5th
  e. a major 4th
Key Signature with Flats
- Question: Which major key has five flats in its key signature?
- Options:
  a. Eb
  b. Bb
  c. Ab
  d. Db
  e. Gb
Composition Timing
- Question: Composition and performance that happens simultaneously is called
- Options:
  a. heterophony
  b. improvisation
  c. musique concrète
  d. performance practice
  e. atonal
Pitch Collection Definition
- Question: The collection of all possible pitches an instrument or voice can produce is called it a
- Options:
  a. limit
  b. tessitura
  c. range
  d. anacrusis
  e. overtone-series
Rhythmic Conflict Terminology
- Question: What is the term used when two conflicting rhythmic patterns (such as 2 against 3) are present simultaneously?
- Options:
  a. syncopation
  b. compound rhythm
  c. cross-meter
  d. polymeter
  e. polyrhythm
Broadest Definition of Music
- Question: The broadest definition of music is
- Options:
  a. Sound organized in space
  b. Space organized in time
  c. Sound organized in time
  d. Time organized in sound
  e. Space organized in time
Melody Contour Description
- Question: What kind of contour is a melody with proportionately more leaps than steps?
- Options:
  a. dynamic
  b. inverted
  c. conjunct
  d. disjunct
  e. amplified
Complex Harmony Methods
- Question: All of the following are ways to make harmony more complex EXCEPT
- Options:
  a. modal mixture
  b. used of diatonic 7th chords
  c. using circle of 5th progressions
  d. delayed resolution to the tonic
  e. frequent modulation
Order of Sharps
- Question: What is the order of the sharps in the key of C# major?
- Options:
  a. C# G# D# A# E# B# F#
  b. F# C# G# D# A# E# B#
  c. B# E# A# D# G# C# F#
  d. F# A# C# E# G# B# D#
  e. D# E# F# A# B# G# C#
Piano Keyboard Semitone Identification
- Question: On a piano keyboard there exists a semitone between E and F and between
- Options:
  a. C and D
  b. G and A
  c. A and B
  d. B and C
  e. D and E
Key Relationship Identification
- Question: Which key is C Major MOST closely related to?
- Options:
  a. B Major
  b. Db Major
  c. G Major
  d. C# Major
  e. eb minor
Tempo Terminology
- Question: The term for a slowing tempo is
- Options:
  a. ritardando
  b. accelerando
  c. subito
  d. poco a poco
  e. rubato
Ethnomusicology Definition
- Question: The term for a scholar that studies the music of other cultures is a(n)
- Options:
  a. music therapist
  b. musicopractitioner
  c. anthromusicologist
  d. cultural musicologist
  e. ethnomusicologist
Theremin Classification
- Question: The theremin is a member of what Sachs/Hornbostel classification?
- Options:
  a. electrophone
  b. chordophone
  c. aerophone
  d. membranophone
  e. idiophone
Interval Definition
- Question: The distance between any two pitches is called a(n)
- Options:
  a. dynamic
  b. leap
  c. articulation
  d. interval
  e. period
Simultaneous Interval Definition
- Question: When an interval is played simultaneously it is called a(n)
- Options:
  a. parallel interval
  b. melodic interval
  c. harmonic interval
  d. articulated interval
  e. periodic session
Blues Scale Degrees
- Question: In a blues scale, what scale degrees may be lowered?
- Options:
  a. 3 and 6
  b. 4 and 7
  c. 3 and 7
  d. 2 and 5
  e. 2 and 7
G Clef Identification
- Question: Another name for the G clef is the
- Options:
  a. bass clef
  b. soprano clef
  c. alto clef
  d. treble clef
  e. tenor clef
Pitch Quality Definition
- Question: Which of the following is the quality of a pitch, interval, or chord that makes it seem “unstable” or tense?
- Options:
  a. dissension
  b. bichord
  c. consonance
  d. con sordino
  e. dissonance
Common Practice Harmony Date
- Question: Common practice harmony was codified in about what year?
- Options:
  a. 1780
  b. 1700
  c. 1750
  d. 1650
  e. 1820
Driving Force of Harmony
- Question: Throughout the common practice period, what is the driving force behind harmony?
- Options:
  a. mathematical relationships
  b. rhythmic integrity
  c. beautiful melody
  d. formal regularity
  e. resolution of dissonance
E Major Key Signature
- Question: How many sharps are there in the key of E Major?
- Options:
  a. 4
  b. 2
  c. 1
  d. 0
  e. 5
Dominant 7th Chord Components
- Question: What scale degrees are contained in the dominant 7th chord?
- Options:
  a. 1, 3, 5, 7
  b. 3, 5, 7, 1
  c. 7, 2, 4, 6
  d. 5, 7, 2, 4
  e. 2, 3, 4, 5
IV Chord Name
- Question: What is the name of the IV chord?
- Options:
  a. dominant
  b. sub-dominant
  c. sub-mediant
  d. super-tonic
  e. median
Fastest Tempo Identification
- Question: Of the following tempo indications, Moderato, Adagio, Lento, Allegro, and Andante, which is the fastest?
- Options:
  a. Moderato
  b. Adagio
  c. Lento
  d. Allegro
  e. Andante
Schoenberg’s Dissonance Emancipation Date
- Question: Around what year was Schoenberg’s “Emancipation of the Dissonance”?
- Options:
  a. 1900
  b. 1930
  c. 1925
  d. 1916
  e. 1910
Pickup Note Terminology
- Question: A note that falls before the first downbeat is called a pickup or a(n)
- Options:
  a. overtone
  b. leading tone
  c. tessitura
  d. anacrusis
  e. motive
Melody Key Movement Definition
- Question: What is the term used for moving a melody from one key into another key?
- Options:
  a. transposition
  b. transmission
  c. locution
  d. progress
  e. inversion
C-Clef Middle Line Definition
- Question: What is the C‑clef called when it is centered on the middle line of the staff?
- Options:
  a. Bass clef
  b. Treble clef
  c. Tenor clef
  d. Alto clef
  e. Soprano clef
Frequency of Specific A Note
- Question: “A” above middle C is 440 Hz. What would the Hz be of “A” two octaves lower than middle C?
- Options:
  a. 220 Hz
  b. 880 Hz
  c. 110 Hz
  d. 660 Hz
  e. 1760 Hz
Instrument Harmonic Analysis
- Question: Which instrument has a strong fundamental, first and third partial, resulting in a pitch that sounds very much like a pure sine wave?
- Options:
  a. clarinet
  b. oboe
  c. saxophone
  d. trumpet
  e. violin
Meter Types Identification
- Question: Music with groups of beats arranged as STRONG-weak-weak is what kind of meter?
- Options:
  a. duple
  b. quadruple
  c. asymmetrical
  d. irregular
  e. triple
Loudness Dynamic Definition
- Question: Which dynamic is the loudest?
- Options:
  a. pianissimo
  b. piano
  c. mezzopiano
  d. forte
  e. mezzoforte
Musical Form Terms
- Question: Exposition, Development and Recapitulation are associated with which form?
- Options:
  a. Rondo form
  b. Sonata form
  c. 32 Bar form
  d. Theme and variations
  e. Verse-Chorus form
Form Naming Example
- Question: ABACABA is an example of which kind of form?
- Options:
  a. Theme and variation
  b. Rondo
  c. Sonata
  d. Ternary
  e. 12 bar blues
Blues Scale Description
- Question: Which of the following best describes a scale with blues inflections?
- Options:
  a. a scale that uses only major intervals
  b. a scale that omits the third and seventh degrees
  c. a scale that blends both major and minor scale elements
  d. a scale with only whole steps
  e. a scale that uses only minor intervals
Equal Temperament Historical Period
- Question: Around what year did the system of equal temperament become dominant?
- Options:
  a. 1800
  b. 1700
  c. 1650
  d. 1750
  e. 1600
Modal Mixture Definition
- Question: You are in the key of C major but you hear a c minor triad. This is an example of a.
- Options:
  a. modal mixture
  b. diatonic modulation
  c. polychord
  d. bitonality
  e. sequence
Movable Clef Identification
- Question: Which clef is movable?
- Options:
  a. treble clef
  b. bass clef
  c. G clef
  d. F clef
  e. C clef
Minor Scale Raising Terminology
- Question: The type of minor scale with a raised 6th and 7th is called what type of minor scale?
- Options:
  a. relative
  b. melodic
  c. harmonic
  d. natural
  e. parallel
Alla Breve Time Signature Definition
- Question: The term alla breve stands for what time signature?
- Options:
  a. 2/4 time
  b. 3/4 time
  c. 4/4 time
  d. 2/2 time
  e. 6/8 time
Fugue Companion Theme Definition
- Question: In a fugue, what is a companion theme to the subject called?
- Options:
  a. transition
  b. motif
  c. countersubject
  d. cadence
  e. bridge
Music Texture Types Identification
- Question: All of the following are types of textures in western music EXCEPT
- Options:
  a. polyphony
  b. monophony
  c. homophony
  d. duophony
  e. heterophony
Multi-movement Composition Type
- Question: What is the most common multi-movement composition found in longer instrumental works from about 1730 to 1950?
- Options:
  a. concerto grosso
  b. suite
  c. prelude
  d. opera
  e. sonata cycle
Dominant Degree Identification
- Question: Which scale degree is referred to as the dominant?
- Options:
  a. first
  b. second
  c. third
  d. fourth
  e. fifth
Smallest Form Unit Identification
- Question: The smallest unit of form is called a.
- Options:
  a. motive
  b. phrase
  c. theme
  d. cadence
  e. bar
Triad Inversion Terminology
- Question: When the 3rd of a triad is on the bottom, the chord is in what inversion?
- Options:
  a. second inversion
  b. third inversion
  c. root position
  d. fourth inversion
  e. first inversion
Twelve-tone Method Origin
- Question: Twelve-tone method was invented in 1925 by what composer?
- Options:
  a. Schoenberg
  b. Webern
  c. Cowell
  d. Cage
  e. Berg
Enharmonic Definition
- Question: What is the term that refers to two different notes that are identical in pitch?
- Options:
  a. absolute
  b. enharmonic
  c. dynamic
  d. dominant
  e. relative
Amplitude Measurement Definition
- Question: What does “amplitude” measure?
- Options:
  a. pitch
  b. speed
  c. volume
  d. frequency
  e. Hz
Non-functional Harmony Definition
- Question: What is the term for using familiar chords from the common practice tradition but not resolving them?
- Options:
  a. polytonality
  b. non-functional harmony
  c. linear harmony
  d. heterophony
  e. modal mixture
Mixed Meter Definition
- Question: The simultaneous use of two or more different meters within a piece, where each part maintains its distinct rhythmic structure while sharing a common pulse or tempo, is called
- Options:
  a. polymeter
  b. compound meter
  c. irregular meter
  d. asymmetrical meter
  e. mixed meter
Polyphony Types Definition
- Question: Counterpoint and imitative are two types of what kind of texture?
- Options:
  a. cacophony
  b. heterophony
  c. polyphony
  d. homophony
  e. monophony