Chords and Harmony · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Three notes that carry a song

Arts & Music · Music · ages 12-14
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which note names the chord?

    • The third
    • The fifth
    • The root

  2. What is a chord?

    • Notes played one after another
    • Three or more notes together
    • A very loud drum

  3. A melody is notes played one after another.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. How can three chords unlock thousands of songs?

    • Few chords in one order
    • Chords tune themselves
    • Three is a lucky number

  5. You press C, E and G together. Which chord sounds?

    • C major
    • G major
    • No chord

  6. While Happy Birthday plays, when does the feeling shift?

    • When the candles blow out
    • Each time the chord underneath changes
    • Only at the start

  7. A friend plays a tune with no chords under it. What is missing?

    • The melody
    • The repeating frame that carries the song
    • The lyrics

  8. A pupil says the last chord of Happy Birthday sounds unfinished. What is wrong?

    • Nothing is wrong
    • The last chord sounds settled, like an ending
    • Songs never end
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Three notes that carry a song W1-mt_SWhLE91u-E-s1

  1. The root · C major is named after its root, C.
  2. Three or more notes together · Stacked notes make harmony; single-file notes make melody.
  3. True · That single file is what sets melody apart from chords.
  4. Few chords in one order · One small repeating frame carries tune after tune.
  5. C major · Root C plus skip-one steps to E and G spells C major.
  6. Each time the chord underneath changes · Harmony tilts the mood though the melody rolls on.
  7. The repeating frame that carries the song · Chords in order are the frame the tune hangs on.
  8. The last chord sounds settled, like an ending · Earlier chords hang open; the last one lands home.
Worksheet · LightMySky