Music Theory at Mason

Most quizzes are given through uTheory. Only playing quizzes are not in uTheory. To find the quizzes, after you log into your account, click Tests in the header menu as shown in the image below.

Watch lessons on uTheory and practice using Skills to improve. If you fail the quiz, uTheory will recommend certain lessons/skills to develop that will help you pass next time.

Consult your instructor to determine how to complete the playing quizzes.

Quizzes are graded pass/fail, but you need a 90% or higher to earn a grade of Pass.

You will have an unlimited number of attempts on each quiz, until the exam (midterm or final).

If you are unable to earn a passing grade on a timed quiz, you have an option to complete a video project instead. See below:

Timed Quizzes Video Reassessment

If you have attempted but not passed one of the post-midterm quizzes, you may make videos in which you explain the not-yet-passed concepts. A satisfactory video will earn a passing grade in all quizzes covered by that concept.

Check with your teacher for due dates.

Instructions

• Read the prompt (on the following page) for the topic not yet passed.
• Make a video of yourself (not a slideshow, etc) explaining the topic verbally.
  • You must address all the questions posed in the prompt.
  • You must fit your video into the given time restrictions.
  • It’s okay to edit your video to make it fit in the time restriction; just make sure you still include all the necessary information.
  • Your explanation should be rehearsed and clear, with visual and audio demonstrations where appropriate (play your instrument or sing, if it helps!).
• Upload your video to Youtube.
• Submit your video.

Check with your teacher for due dates.

#1: Notation

There is no video reassessment option for #1 quizzes.

#2: Rhythm and Meter
Time: 4 minutes

• Explain duple/triple/quadruple meters.
• Explain simple/compound meters.
• Explain conventions for beams and ties.
• Re-notate a rhythm (about eight quarter notes long) in three different meters, including one compound meter.
• Perform each version of your re-notated rhythm on an instrument, demonstrating how the rhythm is performed differently in each of your chosen meters.

#3 and #4: Key Signatures and Scales
Time: 5 minutes

• What the circle of fifths is.
• How to use the circle of fifths to determine key signatures.
• Relative and parallel keys.
• Why the sharps in key signatures are ordered F–C–G–D–A–E–B, and why are the flats are the reverse of this.
• Why there are three different kinds of minor scales, but pieces are never called Sonata in D Harmonic Minor (for example).

#5: Intervals
Time: 2 minutes

• Explain interval names (size and quality).
• Explain inversions of intervals.
• Explain enharmonically equivalent intervals.
• Explain compound intervals.
• Use an example of each quality type.
• Use an instrument to play these examples as you explain them.

#6: Playing Quiz 1

There is no video reassessment option for playing quizzes.

#7: Chords
Time: 2 minutes

• Explain the four triad qualities and five seventh chord qualities in terms of their interval content and/or common scale- degree associations
• Use an example of each quality type, and make sure that at least one example has a natural root, at least one has a sharp root, and at least one has a flat root. 
• Use an instrument to play these examples as you explain them. 

#8: Roman numerals
Time: 2 minutes

• Explain what aspects of a chord does a Roman numeral signifies.
• Explain what figures signify.
• Explain how you determine the Roman numeral and figures of a particular chord.
• Give at least four examples, played at an instrument. Be sure to have a mixture of chord qualities, roots, inversions, and major/minor keys in your examples.

#9: Playing Quiz 2

There is no video reassessment option for playing quizzes.

1. Pitch notation: Identify and write 5 pitches each in treble, alto, tenor, and bass clefs (20 pitches total). 3 minutes.
    
2. Rhythm and meter: Describe meters as simple/compound and duple/triple/quadruple, and identify meters of musical examples. 3 minutes.
    
3. Key signatures: Write and identify 10 major/minor key signatures. 3 minutes.
    
4. Scales: Write 10 major/minor scales. 8 minutes.
    
5. Intervals: Identify and write 10 intervals. 3 minutes.
    
6. Playing quiz 1:  On your major instrument, play/sing 1 major and 1 minor scale; play/sing 8 intervals given a starting pitch. 3 minutes.

1. Chords: Identify 8 triad/seventh chord quality in closed spacing; write 8 triads/seventh chords. 5 minutes.
    
2. Roman numerals: Write 10 triads and seventh chords from Roman numerals. 5 minutes.
    
3. Playing quiz 2: On your major instrument, play/sing 5 arpeggiated chords given a lead sheet symbol; play/sing 5 arpeggiated chords given a Roman numeral and key context. 3 minutes.