Prepare for the Academic Decathlon Music Test! Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions that include hints and explanations. Enhance your knowledge and boost your exam readiness today!

Multiple Choice

Which triad quality is built on the seventh scale degree?

When you build a triad from a given scale degree, you stack two more notes by thirds using the key’s diatonic notes. On the seventh degree, the triad uses the root, a minor third above (the third), and a diminished fifth above (the fifth). In a C major example, that’s B–D–F. The interval from B to D is a minor third, and from B to F is a diminished fifth, which together form a diminished triad. This is different from a major triad (root–major third–perfect fifth) or a minor triad (root–minor third–perfect fifth) or an augmented triad (root–major third–augmented fifth). So the triad built on the seventh scale degree is diminished.

When you build a triad from a given scale degree, you stack two more notes by thirds using the key’s diatonic notes. On the seventh degree, the triad uses the root, a minor third above (the third), and a diminished fifth above (the fifth). In a C major example, that’s B–D–F. The interval from B to D is a minor third, and from B to F is a diminished fifth, which together form a diminished triad. This is different from a major triad (root–major third–perfect fifth) or a minor triad (root–minor third–perfect fifth) or an augmented triad (root–major third–augmented fifth). So the triad built on the seventh scale degree is diminished.