Here’s our first quiz for August – this time on chords. Some of you were hoping for a more challenging quiz last time. So take your time, use a pen and paper if necessary, and good luck!
How did you go? Was that too challenging? What topics would you like to see future quizzes on?
Tags: Basix
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Adrian Try
Adrian is writer and editor for Audiotuts+ and Envato Notes. He has been playing keys and acoustic guitar for three decades, and has six kids. Follow him on Twitter at @envatoaudio.
Join our newsletter!
Freelance Jobs
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Audiotuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
Damn, i only scored 30%… man i need to know this stuff better!
I missed 4 and 8. The ones about how many dim7 and aug. chords there were. I just guessed 12, one for each pitch. I don’t understand the answers though. Are they asking about inversions? Types of augmented chords?
Yeah, it’s tricky. Augmented and dim7 chords are special because they split an octave (12 semitones) into 3 and 4 equal intervals (of 4 semitones for augmented and 3 for dim7). Because the intervals are even, any note in the chord could be the starting point. That means there are only four unique augmented chords, and three unique diminished seventh chords.
An example might help. Cdim7 is made of C Eb Gb A. Ebdim7 is made of Eb Gb A C. Gbdim7 is made of Gb A C Eb. Adim7 is made of A C Eb Gb. They are all inversions of one another. So the one dim7 chord has four different names.
The same goes for Dbdim7 and Ddim7. Then we’re back to Ebdim7, which is the same as Cdim7. There are only three unique dim7 chords. And doing the same exercise with augmented leads to a similar result, but with four unique chords.
I’m not sure how clear that is, but hope it helps. It’s interesting!
Ok, I think I understand your logic in saying that every chord is one of three, or an enharmonic equivalent to one of the three, augmented chords. I also agree with Christian though, that it is necessary to name each chord as it is diatonically relevant to the rest of the music. In the same way, that while C major and D double flat major are enharmoincally equivalent, they are not both the one chord in C major. Anyway, I am recently graduated college with a minor in music theory and rarely get to have these discussions anymore. I really enjoy this type of open forum and these discussions
4 wrong, 4 and 8 (guesses), 7 was a stupid mistake and 5 was a guess because a 3rd defines a chord more than a 5th and took a guess, as I have no idea what a power chord is :D
Not to be overly picky, but the questions that are worded “which of these chords is another name for chord X” aren’t technically correct. It all depends on context and function. A seventh chord has a very different function than a triad with a non-chord tone in the bass (slash chord). It’s like the words “lead” (the metal) and “lead” (the verb). Same spelling, very different meanings. In the key of B minor, Em7 is functional. But the slash chord you list in the quiz (I won’t give it away here for those who haven’t taken the quiz), would simply sound like an inversion Em7, but spelling it as a slash chord would be illogical and would result in the swift application of a theory instructor’s grading pen. Perhaps rewording the question as “which chord shares the same pitches with chord X” would be less confusing.
You’re also applying that logic with your explanation of diminished chords in your comment to JB. Yes, diminished 7th chords built on C, E-flat, G-flat, and A share the same pitches, but they are different chords. For example, Cdim7 is the leading-tone diminished 7th chord in the key of D-flat minor, but E-flat dim 7 would have no diatonic function in that key. Therefore, it’s not a case of a single chord having two different names. Their sound is enharmonic, but not functionally equivalent. Here the analogy would be equating the words “to,” “two” and “too.” Out of context, they sound exactly the same. Drop them into a sentence (a verbal “key” you will) and their uniqueness becomes apparent. This question might be better worded as “How many unique diminished seventh “forms” or “shapes” can be formed using the 12 tones of the Western scale?” But that would have been a little wordy I suppose!
Sorry to geek out on you like that.
Hi Christian and JB. You never have to apologise about geeking out on music theory around here! You’re absolutely right – I meant that the chords share the same notes. As you say, names also denote an interpretation of the function of the chord, so Christian’s wording for the question is more correct than mine. These days I spend more time playing piano than thinking about music theory, so I’m enjoying the discussion too.
I scored 70%.
I was wrong on question: 4, 7 and 8.
More of these quiz’s!
100%. Cool =).
90%
I missed 4 and 8 for the same reasons– guessed 12 both times. I sure would rather get it wrong and learn something, though. I agree– more quizzes please!!!
10%
feels really bad man :(