Music Theory Quiz and Exercises Online
Music theory is learned by doing exercises, and paper worksheets have one problem: the feedback comes later. In this music theory quiz every answer is checked instantly, with an explanation of why, and the questions are generated on the fly, so they never run out or repeat in the same order.
How to use it
- Pick a quiz: Key signatures, Intervals, Chords on the staff, Chords by ear or Notes and rests.
- Choose the level and tap Start.
- Answer by tapping an option (on a computer, keys 1 to 9). Get it right and the next question comes up on its own; get it wrong, read the explanation and tap Next.
- In the interval and chord quizzes, Listen plays what is on the staff. In Chords by ear, the notes only appear after you answer.
- Under Your progress, see your score for each quiz and level.
Help and explanations
There are five quizzes, each with easy, medium and hard levels. A round has 10 questions, and 8 correct answers complete the level. Your progress is saved in your browser, no account needed.
Key signatures: the last-sharp trick
Sharps always come in the order F, C, G, D, A, E, B (“Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle”), and flats in reverse: B, E, A, D, G, C, F. With sharps, the major key is a half step above the last sharp (last sharp C♯: D major). With flats, the major key is the second-to-last flat (B♭, E♭: B♭ major); a single flat is F major. The relative minor is a minor third below: D major and B minor share the same key signature.
Intervals and chords
The interval number counts letter names: from C to E is three (C, D, E), so it is a third. The quality comes from the semitones: a major third has 4, a minor third has 3; perfect fourths and fifths have 5 and 7. A chord is a stack of thirds: major is a major third plus a minor third, minor is the reverse, diminished is two minor thirds and augmented is two major thirds. The hard level adds seventh chords, such as the dominant 7 and the half-diminished m7(♭5).
Note values
Counting the quarter note as one beat: a whole note is worth 4, a half note 2, a quarter note 1, an eighth note ½ and a sixteenth note ¼. Each note value has a rest of the same length. A dot adds half the value: a dotted half note is worth 3, a dotted quarter 1½.
Tips
- Do one round a day in each quiz; ten questions take about two minutes.
- In the interval quiz, count the letter names before you think about semitones.
- In Chords by ear, sing the middle note: it is the third, which separates major from minor.
- Teachers: project the screen in class and have students answer out loud before you tap the option.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the key from the key signature?
With sharps, go up a half step from the last sharp (F♯ and C♯: D major). With flats, the key is the second-to-last flat; with just one flat, it is F major. With no sharps or flats, it is C major or A minor.
What is the order of sharps and flats?
Sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Flats: B, E, A, D, G, C, F, the same sequence backwards.
How can I tell if an interval is major or minor?
Count the semitones. Minor 2nd 1, major 2nd 2; minor 3rd 3, major 3rd 4; minor 6th 8, major 6th 9; minor 7th 10, major 7th 11. Fourths and fifths are neither major nor minor: they are perfect (5 and 7 semitones).
What is the difference between a major and a minor chord?
The third. In a major chord, the distance from the root to the middle note is 4 semitones; in a minor chord, it is 3. The fifth is the same in both.
How many beats does each note get?
With the quarter note as one beat: whole note 4, half note 2, quarter note 1, eighth note half a beat and sixteenth note a quarter of a beat. A dot adds half the value.
What is a half-diminished chord?
It is m7(♭5): a diminished triad plus a minor seventh, such as B, D, F, A. It shows up on the second degree of minor keys.
Do the questions repeat?
Not in a row: each question is generated on the spot, drawing a note, key, interval or chord from the level you chose.