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Leaving Cert Music: Melody & bass from given chords

How often Melody & bass from given chords 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

Melody & bass from given chords, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Melody & bass from given chords.

(a)The chord given is Vb in A major. Which bass note is required?
  1. E
  2. G sharp
  3. B
(b)When writing a melody over given chords, notes on strong beats should usually be what?
  1. Notes of the next chord
  2. Notes a step outside the chord
  3. Notes of the given chord
(c)Which motion between melody and bass should be avoided?
  1. Consecutive 5ths or octaves
  2. Parallel 3rds or 10ths
  3. Contrary motion
Show the answers

(a) G sharp

(b) Notes of the given chord

(c) Consecutive 5ths or octaves

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Melody & bass from given chords.

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
2025Q4
2024Q4
2023Q4
2022Q4
2021Q4
2019Q4
2018Q4
2017Q4
2016Q4

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

More Melody & bass from given chords questions

Melody & bass from given chords, 3 marks

Why use first-inversion chords when writing a bass line?

  1. They make every chord sound louder and fuller
  2. They remove the need for cadences at phrase ends
  3. They let the bass move more smoothly by step
Show the answer

They let the bass move more smoothly by step

Root-position chords make the bass leap between roots. Inversions help it move by step, e.g. I, Vb, I in C major gives the bass C, B, C.

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
2025Q4
2024Q4
2023Q4
2022Q4
2021Q4
2019Q4
2018Q4
2017Q4
2016Q4

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

More Melody & bass from given chords questions

Melody & bass from given chords, 2 marks

Chord I is given in C major. Which melody note fits it?

  1. D
  2. F
  3. E
Show the answer

E

Chord I in C major is C-E-G. A melody note from the chord, like E, fits; D and F are not in the chord and would clash.

Melody & bass from given chords, 3 marks

Chord V in root position is given in G major. Which bass note do you write?

  1. B
  2. D
  3. G
Show the answer

D

Root position puts the root of the chord in the bass. Chord V in G major is D-F sharp-A, so the bass note is D.

Melody & bass from given chords, 3 marks

Chord IV is given in F major. Which melody note fits it?

  1. D
  2. E
  3. G
Show the answer

D

Chord IV in F major is B flat-D-F. D belongs to the chord; E and G do not, so they would clash.

Other Music topics

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