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Music: High School: 9th and 10th Grade Quiz - Time and Key Signatures (Questions)

This Music quiz is called 'Time and Key Signatures' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at high school. Playing educational quizzes is a user-friendly way to learn if you are in the 9th or 10th grade - aged 14 to 16.

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You will find eighth notes and beats in relation to time and key signatures in music. "Life is like music, it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule. Nevertheless one had better know the rules, for they sometimes guide in doubtful cases," so said Samuel Butler.

Try our quiz on Basic Time and Key Signatures.

1. What is a time signature?
[ ] A set time limit for the performance
[ ] A signed calendar date printed on the score
[ ] A way of showing how many beats a bar is made up of
[ ] The average time a piece of music takes to play
2. What is 'common time'?
[ ] A method of describing a repeated rhythm
[ ] An alternative way of writing the 4/4 time signature
[ ] The average speed of a piece
[ ] The grouping of equal rhythms
3. How many eighth notes are in a 6/8 time signature?
[ ] 3
[ ] 4
[ ] 6
[ ] 8
4. How many beats are in a 12/8 time signature?
[ ] 8 crotchet beats per bar
[ ] 8 eighth note beats per bar
[ ] 12 crotchet beats per bar
[ ] 12 eighth note beats per bar
5. How many beats are in a 3/4 time signature?
[ ] 3 eighth note beats
[ ] 3 crotchet beats
[ ] 4 half note beats
[ ] 4 crotchet beats
6. What does a key signature illustrate?
[ ] How many chord changes occur in the music
[ ] The central melodic themes of the music being played
[ ] The number of piano keys used to play the piece
[ ] Which and how many sharps/flats are used in the music
7. How many sharps or flats are in the key of G major?
[ ] None
[ ] 1 sharp (F sharp)
[ ] 2 flats (B and E flat)
[ ] 3 sharps (F, C and G sharp)
8. How many flats are in the key of B flat major?
[ ] 1 (B flat)
[ ] 2 (B and E flat)
[ ] 3 (B, E and A flat)
[ ] 4 (B, E, A and D flat)
9. How many sharps or flats are in the key of C major?
[ ] None
[ ] 1 flat (B flat)
[ ] 1 sharp and 1 flat (F sharp and B flat)
[ ] 2 sharps (F and C sharp)
10. What major key signature has three sharps?
[ ] A major
[ ] D major
[ ] E major
[ ] F major
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Music: High School: 9th and 10th Grade Quiz - Time and Key Signatures (Answers)
1. What is a time signature?
[ ] A set time limit for the performance
[ ] A signed calendar date printed on the score
[x] A way of showing how many beats a bar is made up of
[ ] The average time a piece of music takes to play
2. What is 'common time'?
[ ] A method of describing a repeated rhythm
[x] An alternative way of writing the 4/4 time signature
[ ] The average speed of a piece
[ ] The grouping of equal rhythms
A large 'C' is used to indicate common time on scores
3. How many eighth notes are in a 6/8 time signature?
[ ] 3
[ ] 4
[x] 6
[ ] 8
The 8 represents a eighth note, the 6 defines the quantity
4. How many beats are in a 12/8 time signature?
[ ] 8 crotchet beats per bar
[ ] 8 eighth note beats per bar
[ ] 12 crotchet beats per bar
[x] 12 eighth note beats per bar
5. How many beats are in a 3/4 time signature?
[ ] 3 eighth note beats
[x] 3 crotchet beats
[ ] 4 half note beats
[ ] 4 crotchet beats
This time signature is in all 'waltz' and 'minuet' dances
6. What does a key signature illustrate?
[ ] How many chord changes occur in the music
[ ] The central melodic themes of the music being played
[ ] The number of piano keys used to play the piece
[x] Which and how many sharps/flats are used in the music
7. How many sharps or flats are in the key of G major?
[ ] None
[x] 1 sharp (F sharp)
[ ] 2 flats (B and E flat)
[ ] 3 sharps (F, C and G sharp)
8. How many flats are in the key of B flat major?
[ ] 1 (B flat)
[x] 2 (B and E flat)
[ ] 3 (B, E and A flat)
[ ] 4 (B, E, A and D flat)
9. How many sharps or flats are in the key of C major?
[x] None
[ ] 1 flat (B flat)
[ ] 1 sharp and 1 flat (F sharp and B flat)
[ ] 2 sharps (F and C sharp)
Sharps and flats are never used in the same signature
10. What major key signature has three sharps?
[x] A major
[ ] D major
[ ] E major
[ ] F major