Musical chords are the foundation of music theory, and they’re essential to creating harmonious sounds that are pleasing to the ear. Understanding chords is a crucial part of learning to play an instrument, whether it’s a guitar, piano, or any other instrument that involves playing multiple notes simultaneously.
But how well do you really know musical chords? In this multiple-choice trivia quiz, we’ll test your knowledge with 15 questions covering everything from chord structures to chord progressions. So whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, this quiz is sure to provide a fun and informative challenge. Get ready to flex your musical knowledge and see how much you really know about musical chords!
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- What are the three primary chords in the key of C major?
- C, F, G
- D, G, A
- G, C, D
- A, D, E
The correct answer is C, F, G.
The primary chords in a major key are the I, IV, and V chords, which in the key of C major are C, F, and G. - What is the relative minor chord of the C major chord?
- D minor
- B minor
- A minor
- E minor
The correct answer is A minor.
The relative minor chord is the chord that shares the same key signature as its relative major chord, and is found on the 6th degree of the major scale. In the case of C major, the relative minor chord is A minor. - Which chord is commonly referred to as the “dominant” chord in a key?
- V chord
- I chord
- VI chord
- IV chord
The correct answer is V chord.
The dominant chord is the V chord in a key, which is built on the fifth degree of the major scale and has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic (I chord). - What is the most common chord progression in popular music?
- I-V-VI
- I-IV-V
- I-V-IV
- I-IV-VI
The correct answer is I-IV-V.
The I-IV-V chord progression is the most common progression in popular music, often used in blues, rock, and many other genres. - Which chord is often called the “subdominant” chord in a key?
- I chord
- IV chord
- V chord
- VI chord
The correct answer is IV chord.
The subdominant chord is the IV chord in a key, which is built on the fourth degree of the major scale and often precedes the dominant (V chord) in a progression. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, minor third, and perfect fifth?
- Augmented chord
- Diminished chord
- Minor chord
- Major chord
The correct answer is Minor chord.
A minor chord is made up of a root, minor third, and perfect fifth, and has a “sad” or “dark” sound compared to a major chord. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, major third, and perfect fifth?
- Minor chord
- Diminished chord
- Major chord
- Augmented chord
The correct answer is Major chord.
A major chord is made up of a root, major third, and perfect fifth, and has a “happy” or “bright” sound compared to a minor chord. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, minor third, and diminished fifth?
- Major chord
- Augmented chord
- Minor chord
- Diminished chord
The correct answer is Diminished chord.
A diminished chord is made up of a root, minor third, and diminished fifth, and has a tense, unstable sound. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, major third, and augmented fifth?
- Minor chord
- Major chord
- Augmented chord
- Diminished chord
The correct answer is Augmented chord.
An augmented chord is made up of a root, major third, and augmented fifth, and has a bright, tense sound.
- Which chord is commonly used as a “passing” chord between the I and IV chords in a progression?
- II chord
- III chord
- VI chord
- V chord
The correct answer is II chord.
The II chord is often used as a passing chord between the I and IV chords, providing a smooth transition in a progression.
- What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh?
- Major 7 chord
- Minor major 7 chord
- Dominant 7 chord
- Minor 7 chord
The correct answer is Major 7 chord.
A major 7 chord consists of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh, and has a smooth, jazzy sound. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh?
- Minor major 7 chord
- Major 7 chord
- Dominant 7 chord
- Minor 7 chord
The correct answer is Dominant 7 chord.
A dominant 7 chord consists of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, and has a bluesy, unresolved sound. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh?
- Major 7 chord
- Minor 7 chord
- Dominant 7 chord
- Minor major 7 chord
The correct answer is Minor 7 chord.
A minor 7 chord consists of a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, and has a mellow, sad sound. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh?
- Major 7 chord
- Minor major 7 chord
- Minor 7 chord
- Dominant 7 chord
The correct answer is Minor major 7 chord.
A minor major 7 chord consists of a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh, and has a mysterious, tense sound. - What is the name of the chord consisting of the root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh?
- Minor 7 chord
- Major 7 chord
- Diminished 7 chord
- Dominant 7 chord
The correct answer is Diminished 7 chord.
A diminished 7 chord consists of a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh, and has a highly unstable, tense sound.