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20 original JAMB Music questions on Kinds of Motion, with instant scoring and worked explanations. Free, no sign-up.
Start Kinds of Motion practice → Timed test All Music topicsWhat Kinds of Motion covers in the JAMB Music syllabus
Motion describes how two melodic lines (voices/parts) move in relation to each other, and there are four main kinds. Parallel motion: both parts move in the same direction keeping the same interval. Similar motion: both move in the same direction but by different intervals. Contrary motion: the parts move in opposite directions (one up, one down). Oblique motion: one part stays on the same note (held) while the other moves. Kinds of motion matter in harmony and part-writing: good writing often uses contrary motion to keep the parts independent, and consecutive (parallel) fifths and octaves are usually avoided in strict harmony. The main point: kinds of motion (parallel, similar, contrary, oblique) describe how two parts move together in music.
For Kinds of Motion, JAMB expects you to be able to:
- Define the four kinds of motion (parallel, similar, contrary, oblique)
- Explain each: parallel (same direction, same interval), similar (same direction, different interval), contrary (opposite), oblique (one held)
- Note their role in harmony/part-writing (contrary for independence; avoid consecutive 5ths/8ves)
Key facts & revision notes: Kinds of Motion
These are the recurring points our Kinds of Motion questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.
- Motion describes how two melodic lines (voices/parts) move in relation to each other.
- Parallel motion is when two parts move in the same direction keeping the same interval.
- Contrary motion is when two parts move in opposite directions.
- Oblique motion is when one part stays still while the other moves.
- Similar motion is when two parts move in the same direction but by different intervals.
- In parallel motion, both parts move in the same direction (keeping the interval).
- In contrary motion, if one part goes up the other goes down.
- Oblique motion involves one stationary (held) part while the other moves.
- Consecutive (parallel) fifths and octaves are usually avoided in strict harmony writing.
- Kinds of motion matter in harmony and part-writing for several voices.
- Parallel motion keeps the same interval between the parts.
- Contrary motion has the parts moving in opposite directions.
- Good part-writing often uses contrary motion, which keeps the parts independent.
- Similar and parallel motion both move in the same direction (parallel keeps the interval, similar does not).
- Four kinds of motion are usually described: parallel, similar, contrary and oblique.
- Oblique motion has one part held while the other moves.
- Motion describes the relationship between two parts (voices).
- Parallel motion moves in the same direction keeping the same interval.
- Contrary is a kind of motion (staccato, forte and crescendo are not).
- The main point is that kinds of motion (parallel, similar, contrary, oblique) describe how two parts move together in music.
Worked examples
Three Kinds of Motion questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.
Q. Motion describes the relationship between two ___ .
- A. keys
- B. clefs
- C. parts/voices ✓
- D. tempos
Answer: C. Motion describes the relationship between two parts (voices).
Q. Motion in music describes how two ___ move in relation to each other.
- A. clefs
- B. melodic lines/voices ✓
- C. time signatures
- D. bar lines
Answer: B. Motion describes how two melodic lines (voices/parts) move in relation to each other.
Q. When two parts move in the same direction, keeping the same interval, it is ___ motion.
- A. parallel ✓
- B. contrary
- C. oblique
- D. similar
Answer: A. Parallel motion is when two parts move in the same direction keeping the same interval.
Q. When two parts move in opposite directions, it is ___ motion.
- A. similar
- B. parallel
- C. oblique
- D. contrary ✓
Answer: D. Contrary motion is when two parts move in opposite directions.
How Kinds of Motion is tested in JAMB Music
Our Kinds of Motion bank holds 20 questions (2 easy, 11 medium, 7 hard). JAMB Music typically returns to Kinds of Motion year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.
How to answer Kinds of Motion questions
Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Kinds of Motion. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Music item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Kinds of Motion is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.
Common mistakes to avoid in Kinds of Motion
The errors that cost marks on Kinds of Motion are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Kinds of Motion actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.
Keep going
Related Music topics: Cadences in Major Keys · Triads and Their Inversions · Non-harmonic Tones (Non-chord Tones) · Simple Musical Terms, Signs and Symbols · Modulation
All Music topics · All CBT subjects · Course library · JAMB guide
Frequently asked questions
Is Kinds of Motion part of the JAMB Music syllabus?
Yes. Kinds of Motion is a recognised topic in the JAMB Music syllabus, covering define the four kinds of motion (parallel, similar, contrary, oblique). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.
How many Kinds of Motion questions can I practise on Belmadeng?
There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Kinds of Motion questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.
What are the most important points to know about Kinds of Motion?
Motion describes how two melodic lines (voices/parts) move in relation to each other, and there are four main kinds. Parallel motion: both parts move in the same direction keeping the same interval. Similar motion: both move in the same direction but by different intervals. Contrary motion: the part…
How do I answer Kinds of Motion questions quickly in JAMB?
Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Kinds of Motion. Practising timed Kinds of Motion questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.
Are these JAMB Music Kinds of Motion questions past questions or original?
They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.
Where can I practise Kinds of Motion questions free without signing up?
Right here — tap “Start Kinds of Motion practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.
About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Music syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.