#AP Music Theory: The Night Before 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Feeling a bit nervous? Don't worry, we've got you covered. This guide is your last-minute power-up, designed to make sure you're feeling confident and ready to rock the AP Music Theory exam. Let's dive in!

#1. Fundamentals of Music Notation

#1.1: Pitch and Pitch Notation

• Staff: The foundation of written music, consisting of 5 lines and 4 spaces.

• Grand Staff: Combines the treble and bass clefs, used for a wide range of pitches.

• Treble Clef:

  • Lines: E-G-B-D-F (Memory Aid: "Every Good Boy Does Fine")
  • Spaces: F-A-C-E (Memory Aid: spells "FACE")
  

• Bass Clef:

  • Lines: G-B-D-F-A (Memory Aid: "Good Birds Don't Fly Away" or "Grapes, Bananas, Don't Forget Apples")
  • Spaces: A-C-E-G
  
  

• Accidentals:

  • Sharp (♯): Raises a pitch by a half step.
  • Flat (♭): Lowers a pitch by a half step.
  • Natural (♮): Cancels a sharp or flat.

• Measures (Bars): Sections of music separated by bar lines.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Question: What is the name of the note on the third line of the bass clef?

   • Options: A, B, C, D
   • Answer: D

2. Question: Which accidental lowers a pitch by a half step?

   • Options: Sharp, Flat, Natural, Double Sharp
   • Answer: Flat

Free Response Question:

• Prompt: Write out the notes of the following melody on a grand staff: G4, A4, B4, C5, B4, A4, G4. Include appropriate clefs.
• Scoring:
  • 1 point: Correct placement of notes on the staff
  • 1 point: Correct use of treble and bass clefs
  • 1 point: Accurate representation of pitch sequence

#1.2: Rhythmic Values

• Beat: The basic unit of time.
• Quarter Note: 1 beat (assuming 4/4 time for simplicity).
  
• Eighth Note: 1/2 beat (two eighth notes per quarter note).
  
• Sixteenth Note: 1/4 beat (four sixteenth notes per quarter note).
  
• Half Note: 2 beats.
  
• Whole Note: 4 beats.
• Rests: Silence for a specific duration (quarter rest, eighth rest, etc.)
  

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Question: How many eighth notes are in a quarter note?

   • Options: 1, 2, 3, 4
   • Answer: 2

2. Question: Which note value receives 4 beats in 4/4 time?

   • Options: Half note, Quarter note, Whole note, Eighth note
   • Answer: Whole note

Free Response Question:

• Prompt: In 4/4 time, write a measure containing one half note, two quarter notes, and four eighth notes. Include appropriate rests.
• Scoring:
  • 1 point: Correct note values
  • 1 point: Correct placement of notes and rests
  • 1 point: Correct use of time signature

#1.3: Half Steps and Whole Steps

• Chromatic Scale: A scale made entirely of half steps.
• Half Step: The smallest interval in Western music (e.g., C to C#).
• Whole Step: Two half steps (e.g., C to D).

#1.4: Major Scales and Scale Degrees

• Scale: A series of pitches arranged in ascending or descending order.
• Major Scale: A specific pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
  
• Tonic: The first note of a scale and the tonal center.
• Scale Degrees: Each note in a scale has a specific name and function:
  • 1: Tonic
  • 2: Supertonic
  • 3: Mediant
  • 4: Subdominant
  • 5: Dominant
  • 6: Submediant
  • 7: Leading Tone
• Diatonic: Notes within a given key.
• Chromatic: Notes outside of a given key.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Question: What is the interval between the 3rd and 4th degree of a major scale?

   • Whole step
   • Half step
   • Minor third
   • Major third Answer: Half step

2. Question: What is the name of the 5th scale degree?

   • Tonic
   • Subdominant
   • Dominant
   • Leading tone Answer: Dominant

Free Response:

Prompt: Write out the notes of a G major scale, ascending and descending. Label each scale degree with its name.

Scoring:

• 1 point: Correct notes in the G major scale
• 1 point: Correct ascending and descending order
• 1 point: Accurate labeling of scale degrees

#1.5: Major Keys and Key Signatures

• Key: A tonal center based on a scale.
• Key Signature: Sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff, indicating the key.
  

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

Question: How many sharps are in the key of D major?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Question: Which key has one flat in its key signature?

• G major
• F major
• C major
• D major

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Identify the key of a piece that has two sharps in its key signature. Explain your reasoning.

Scoring:

• 1 point: Correct identification of the key (D major)
• 1 point: Explanation of the relationship between sharps and key
• 1 point: Accurate reference to the circle of fifths (optional)

#2. Rhythm and Meter

#1.6: Simple and Compound Beat Division

• Meter: The pattern of strong and weak beats.
• Simple Meter: Beats divided into two (e.g., 4/4, 2/4).

• Compound Meter: Beats divided into three (e.g., 6/8, 9/8).

#1.7: Time Signatures

• Time Signature: Indicates beats per measure and note value that receives one beat.
  
• Duple Meter: Two beats per measure (e.g., 2/4, 6/8).
• Triple Meter: Three beats per measure (e.g., 3/4, 9/8).
• Quadruple Meter: Four beats per measure (e.g., 4/4, 12/8).

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Question: Which of the following is an example of a compound meter?

   • Options: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8
   • Answer: 6/8

2. Question: How many beats are in a measure of 3/4 time?

   • Options: 2, 3, 4, 6
   • Answer: 3

Free Response Question:

• Prompt: Compare and contrast simple and compound meter. Provide examples of time signatures for each.
• Scoring:
  • 1 point: Clear definition of simple meter
  • 1 point: Clear definition of compound meter
  • 1 point: Correct examples of time signatures for each

#1.8: Rhythmic Patterns

• Rhythmic Pattern: A repeated series of rhythms.

#1.9: Tempo

• Tempo: The speed of the beat, measured in beats per minute (bpm).
• Common Tempo Markings:
  • Grave (slow and solemn)
  • Lento (slowly)
  • Largo (broadly)
  • Larghetto (rather broadly)
  • Adagio (slow and stately)
  • Andante (at a walking pace)
  • Andantino (slightly faster walking pace)
  • Moderato (moderately)
  • Allegretto (moderately fast)
  • Allegro (fast, quickly and bright)
  • Vivace (lively and fast)
  • Presto (extremely fast)
  • Prestissimo (even faster than Presto)

#1.10: Dynamics and Articulation

• Dynamics: Loudness or softness of music.
  • p (piano) = soft
  • f (forte) = loud
  • mp (mezzo piano) = medium soft
  • mf (mezzo forte) = medium loud
  • pp (pianissimo) = very soft
  • ff (fortissimo) = very loud
  • Crescendo (<): Gradually get louder.
  • Decrescendo (>) or Diminuendo (dim.): Gradually get softer.
    
• Articulation: How individual notes are played.
  • Staccato (short and detached).
  • Tenuto (full value).
  • Legato (smooth and connected).
  • Marcato (emphasized).
    

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Question: Which dynamic marking indicates 'very loud'?

   • Options: p, f, mp, ff
   • Answer: ff

2. Question: What does 'staccato' articulation mean?

   • Options: Smooth and connected, Short and detached, Full value, Emphasized
   • Answer: Short and detached

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Describe how dynamics and articulation can affect the interpretation of a musical phrase. Provide examples.

Scoring Criteria:

• 1 point: Explanation of the role of dynamics in musical expression
• 1 point: Explanation of the role of articulation in musical expression
• 1 point: Clear examples of how dynamics and articulation change the feel of the music

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

High-Priority Topics:

*   **Scales and Key Signatures:** Know your major scales and key signatures inside and out.  
*   **Rhythmic Values and Time Signatures:** Be comfortable with note values, rests, and meter.  
*   **Intervals and Chords:** Understand the construction of basic intervals and chords (major, minor, diminished, augmented).  
*   **Cadences:** Recognize common cadences (authentic, plagal, half, deceptive).  

*

*   **Multiple Choice:** Expect questions on identifying notes, intervals, chords, and rhythms.  
*   **Short Answer:** Be prepared to define musical terms and explain concepts.  
*   **Free Response:** Analyze musical excerpts, write melodies, and harmonize given lines.  

*

*   **Misreading Key Signatures:** Double-check the number of sharps or flats.  
*   **Rhythm Errors:** Pay close attention to note values and time signatures.  
*   **Incorrect Interval/Chord Identification:** Practice identifying intervals and chords quickly.  

• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
  • Read Carefully: Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
  • Trust Your Ears: If something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.
  • Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and believe in yourself. You've got this! 💡

Good luck, and remember, you're not just taking a test, you're showcasing your musical skills! Go get 'em! 🚀