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Subjects · Leaving Cert Music

Leaving Cert Music: Bass notes & chords to a tune

How often Bass notes & chords to a tune comes up on the Music papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Bass notes & chords to a tune, Higher Level(9 marks)

Quick ones on Bass notes & chords to a tune.

(a)In D major, using I, ii, IV, V and vi, which chords contain the melody note A?
  1. ii and IV
  2. I and V
  3. IV and vi
(b)Which of these is a strong chord progression?
  1. The same chord in adjacent boxes
  2. V7 moving to V
  3. Root rising a 4th, e.g. V to I
(c)When may the same chord appear in two adjacent chord boxes?
  1. Only if the bass note changes or a 7th is added
  2. Never under any circumstances
  3. Whenever the melody note stays the same
Show the answers

(a) I and V

(b) Root rising a 4th, e.g. V to I

(c) Only if the bass note changes or a 7th is added

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Bass notes & chords to a tune.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q5
2023Q5
2022Q5
2021Q5
2019Q5
2018Q5
2017Q5
2016Q5

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Bass notes & chords to a tune questions

Bass notes & chords to a tune, 3 marks

In G major the tune has F sharp on a strong beat. Which chord from I, ii, IV, V and vi fits?

  1. IV (C major)
  2. ii (A minor)
  3. V (D major)
Show the answer

V (D major)

F sharp is the leading note, and among these chords only V (D, F sharp, A) contains it. I, ii, IV and vi have no F sharp.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q5
2023Q5
2022Q5
2021Q5
2019Q5
2018Q5
2017Q5
2016Q5

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Bass notes & chords to a tune questions

Bass notes & chords to a tune, 3 marks

In C major, a melody note is G. Which chord could harmonise it?

  1. ii
  2. IV
  3. V
Show the answer

V

G is in chord I (C-E-G) and chord V (G-B-D). It is not in ii (D-F-A) or IV (F-A-C), so those chords would clash.

Bass notes & chords to a tune, 3 marks

In G major, a melody note is C. Which chord could harmonise it?

  1. V
  2. IV
  3. I
Show the answer

IV

Chord IV in G major is C-E-G and chord ii is A-C-E: both contain C. Chord I (G-B-D) and chord V (D-F sharp-A) do not.

Bass notes & chords to a tune, 3 marks

Why should the same chord not be used in two boxes in a row?

  1. The harmony stands still
  2. It breaks the time signature
  3. It changes the key
Show the answer

The harmony stands still

The marking schemes don't accept the same chord in adjacent boxes, unless the bass note changes, because the progression stops moving.

Other Music topics

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