quizzy question I don't know i

• Aug 26, 2021 - 11:17

I have a theory question that confuses me.
The staff has no accidentals and in treble clef.

The question is: Using whole notes, complete the stave below by adding the notes of a
one-octave ascending and descending arpeggio in the minor key shown by the clef and key signature.

Now I would think it's Am as the staff is set up for C major with no sharps or flats.
The arpeggio notes being ACE A ECA rather than the C major scale being CEG C GEC.

Then I worried if they meant C minor, but that would be in the E major as a natural minor.
Oh dear. I'm hoping it's Am.
thanks for your help.


Comments

No flats or sharps can be either C major or A minor. Only way to know is by context - actually examing the music - or if someone tells you. Sounds like are telling it's a minor key, so it must be A minor. The key of C minor would have three flats, same as its relative major, Eb (not E). All key signatures are ambiguous in this same way - they can indicate either the relative major or minor.

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