Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III: Triads & Seventh Chords
Music Theory · Unit 3 · Paper 2

Music Fundamentals III: Triads & Seventh Chords unit test

A test on this unit alone, marked as a percentage and a letter grade — for the test your class is actually sitting, rather than for May. Answer everything, then submit once: seeing the answer to question 3 before attempting question 4 makes the final percentage meaningless.

Each paper is built from this unit’s 18 terms and is the same for everyone, so a teacher can assign “Unit 3, Paper 2” and every student sits the identical test. Multiple choice is marked objectively; the written sections you mark yourself against the model answer and rubric.
Suggested time 34 min 31 points0/17 attempted
1

The five seventh chord qualities

2

Why vii°7 needs harmonic minor

3

Close vs open spacing

4

Inversion by ear

5

Chord quality by ear

6

Spelling a chord from a Roman numeral

7

Accidentals in figured bass

8

Triad inversions and figures

9

The four legal six-four chords

10

Seventh chord inversions and figures

11

Triad construction

12

Roman numeral conventions

Short answer 1. Define or explain: Half-diminished vs fully diminished

3 pts

Short answer 2. Define or explain: Cadential six-four in context

3 pts

Short answer 3. Define or explain: Doubling in root position

3 pts

Short answer 4. Define or explain: Doubling in second inversion

3 pts

Free response

7 pts

Answer each of the following.

Spell the triad built on the fourth scale degree of B-flat major and identify its quality.

Spell the fully diminished seventh chord built on C-sharp.

Give the figured-bass symbols for a triad in first inversion and a triad in second inversion.

In C major, a bass note B carries the figures 6/5. Identify all four chord members, name the chord in root position, and give its Roman numeral with inversion.

Identify the quality of the seventh chord built on the leading tone in a minor key using the harmonic minor scale.

Explain the difference between a half-diminished seventh chord and a fully diminished seventh chord.

In C major, spell the seventh chord built on the second scale degree and identify its quality.