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  2. AP Music Theory
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Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements

Benjamin Wright

Benjamin Wright

9 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the fundamentals of music theory for the AP Music Theory exam. Key topics include pitch notation (staff, clef, accidentals), rhythmic values (notes, rests), half/whole steps, major scales/key signatures, simple/compound meter, time signatures, rhythmic patterns, tempo, dynamics, and articulation. It also provides practice questions and emphasizes important terms like tonic, diatonic, and chromatic.

#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")

    Treble Clef

  • 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

    Bass Clef Lines

    Bass Clef Spaces

  • Accidentals:

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

Understanding accidentals is crucial for identifying intervals and chords.

* **Measures (Bars):** Sections of music separated by bar lines.
Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "What is the name of the note on the third line of the bass clef?",
      "options": ["A", "B", "C", "D"],
      "answer": "D"
    },
    {
      "question": "Which accidental lowers a pitch by a half step?",
      "options": ["Sharp", "Flat", "Natural", "Double Sharp"],
      "answer": "Flat"
    }
  ],
  "free_response": {
    "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).
    Quarter Note
  • Eighth Note: 1/2 beat (two eighth notes per quarter note).
    Eighth Note
  • Sixteenth Note: 1/4 beat (four sixteenth notes per quarter note).
    Sixteenth Note
  • Half Note: 2 beats.
    Half Note
  • Whole Note: 4 beats.
  • Rests: Silence for a specific duration (quarter rest, eighth rest, etc.)
    Rests
Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "How many eighth notes are in a quarter note?",
      "options": ["1", "2", "3", "4"],
      "answer": "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": {
    "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).
Quick Fact

Remember that B-C and E-F are naturally half steps!

#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.
    C Major Scale
  • 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.
Key Concept

Knowing scale degrees is essential for understanding harmony and melody.

Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "What is the interval between the 3rd and 4th degree of a major scale?",
      "options": ["Whole step", "Half step", "Minor third", "Major third"],
      "answer": "Half step"
    },
    {
      "question": "What is the name of the 5th scale degree?",
      "options": ["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.
    Key Signatures
Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "How many sharps are in the key of D major?",
      "options": ["1", "2", "3", "4"],
      "answer": "2"
    },
    {
      "question": "Which key has one flat in its key signature?",
      "options": ["G major", "F major", "C major", "D major"],
      "answer": "F major"
    }
  ],
  "free_response": {
    "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).
Quick Fact

If the bottom number of the time signature is 4, it’s usually a simple meter.

* **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.
    Time Signature
  • 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).
Exam Tip

Knowing the difference between simple and compound meter is crucial for rhythmic analysis.

Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "Which of the following is an example of a compound meter?",
      "options": ["2/4", "3/4", "4/4", "6/8"],
      "answer": "6/8"
    },
    {
      "question": "How many beats are in a measure of 3/4 time?",
      "options": ["2", "3", "4", "6"],
      "answer": "3"
    }
  ],
  "free_response": {
    "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)
Memory Aid

Remember: "Lazy Ants March Around, Always Very Patient" (Largo, Andante, Moderato, Allegro, Vivace, 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.
      Dynamics
  • Articulation: How individual notes are played.
    • Staccato (short and detached).
    • Tenuto (full value).
    • Legato (smooth and connected).
    • Marcato (emphasized).
      Articulation
Practice Question
json
{
  "multiple_choice": [
    {
      "question": "Which dynamic marking indicates 'very loud'?",
      "options": ["p", "f", "mp", "ff"],
      "answer": "ff"
    },
    {
      "question": "What does 'staccato' articulation mean?",
      "options": ["Smooth and connected", "Short and detached", "Full value", "Emphasized"],
      "answer": "Short and detached"
    }
  ],
  "free_response": {
    "prompt": "Describe how dynamics and articulation can affect the interpretation of a musical phrase. Provide examples.",
    "scoring": {
        "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).
Exam Tip

Common Question Types:

* **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. *
Common Mistake

Common Pitfalls:

* **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! 🚀

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Question 1 of 12

What is the name of the note on the first line of the treble clef? 🎵

F

E

G

A