Half Steps and Whole Steps
Benjamin Wright
7 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Music Theory study guide covers half steps and whole steps, how to measure and name intervals (including major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished), interval recognition by ear, and consonant vs. dissonant intervals (including the tritone). It also provides practice questions and exam tips.
AP Music Theory: Intervals - Your Ultimate Review 🎶
Hey there, future AP Music Theory master! Let's get you prepped and confident for your exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. Let's make sure everything clicks!
Half Steps and Whole Steps: The Building Blocks 🧱
Chromatic Scale
- Imagine playing every note on a piano, black and white, in order: A-Bb-B-C-C#-D-Eb-E-F-F#-G-G#-A. This is a chromatic scale.
Every note in a chromatic scale is a half step apart.
- Half Step: The smallest distance between two notes on a keyboard. For example, C to C# or E to F.
Whole Step
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A whole step is equal to two half steps.
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Example: C to D or E to F#.
Think of a piano keyboard: a half step is moving to the very next key, and a whole step is skipping one key.
Caption: Visualizing half and whole steps on a piano keyboard.
Intervals: Measuring the Distance 📏
Naming Intervals
- An interval is the distance between two pitches.
- Size: The number (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) comes from the space between the letter names (e.g., C to E is a 3rd).
- Quality: Refers to the type of interval (major, minor, perfect, etc.).
Intervals are usually considered within an octave, but you might hear about 9ths or 10ths.
Types of Intervals
- Major Intervals (M): Found in major scales (M2, M3, M6, M7).
- Example: C to E is a Major 3rd (M3).
- Perfect Intervals (P): 4th, 5th, and octave in a major scale.
- Example: C to G is a Perfect 5th (P5).
- Minor Intervals (m): One half step smaller than a major interval.
- Example: C to Eb is a minor 3rd (m3).
- Augmented Intervals (A): One half step larger than a major or perfect interval.
- Example: C to E# is an Augmented 3rd (A3).
- Diminished Intervals (d): One half step smaller than a minor or perfect interval.
- Example: C to Ebb is a diminished 3rd (d3).
Quick Guide to Interval Qualities
- Major Scale Reference: Use the major scale to identify major and perfect intervals.
- Minor: One half step smaller than major.
- Augmented: One half step larger than major/perfect.
- Diminished: One half step smaller than minor/perfect.
Singing and Recognizing Intervals 👂
- You'll need to recognize intervals by ear and sing them accurately.
- Practice: Use the do-re-mi scale or familiar songs.
Interval Song Associations
| Interval | Song |
|---|---|
| minor 2nd (m2) | The Jaws theme song |
| Major 2nd (M2) | "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" |
| minor 3rd (m3) | "This Old Man" |
| Major 3rd (M3) | "Oh Where the Saints" |
| Perfect 4th (P4) | "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" |
| diminished 5th (d5) | "The Simpsons" |
| Perfect 5th (P5) | "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" |
| minor 6th (m6) | Chopin Waltz Op 64 No 2 |
| Major 6th (M6) | "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" |
| minor 7th (m7) | "Pure Imagination" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
| Major 7th (M7) | "Take on Me" |
| Octave (P8) | "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" |
Use familiar songs to remember intervals. For example, the start of "Here Comes the Bride" is a perfect 4th.
Consonant and Dissonant Intervals: The Emotional Impact 🎭
Tritone: The Devil's Interval 😈
- The tritone (augmented 4th or diminished 5th) is three whole steps apart.
- Historically considered dissonant and unstable.
Tritones create tension and are used for expressive effect.
Consonance vs. Dissonance
- Consonant Intervals: Stable and resolved.
- Octave, perfect 5th, major and minor 3rds and 6ths.
- Dissonant Intervals: Unstable and create tension.
- Major and minor 2nds and 7ths, tritones, and any augmented or diminished intervals.
- Perfect 4th: Context-dependent; can be consonant or dissonant.
Remember that dissonance is not bad! It's essential for creating tension and release in music.
Cultural Note
- Definitions of consonance and dissonance are rooted in Western European tradition.
- Different cultures have different ideas about what sounds consonant or dissonant.
Final Exam Focus 🎯
- Interval Identification: Practice identifying intervals by ear and on paper.
- Consonance/Dissonance: Understand how these concepts affect musical expression.
- Tritone: Know its historical significance and use in music.
- Context Matters: The perfect 4th can be consonant or dissonant depending on the musical context.
Don't get bogged down in the details. Focus on the big picture: how intervals create musical tension and release.
Last-Minute Tips
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question.
- Common Pitfalls: Double-check your accidentals and interval qualities.
- Strategies: Use familiar songs to help with ear training.
Practice Question
Practice Questions 📝
Multiple Choice Questions
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What is the interval between C and F#? (A) Perfect 4th (B) Augmented 4th (C) Diminished 5th (D) Perfect 5th
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Which of the following is a dissonant interval? (A) Perfect 5th (B) Major 3rd (C) minor 7th (D) Major 6th
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A minor 3rd is equivalent to how many half steps? (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5
Free Response Question (FRQ)
Instructions: Analyze the following melody. Identify the intervals between the notes marked with an asterisk (*) and classify them as major, minor, perfect, augmented, or diminished. Indicate whether each interval is consonant or dissonant.
Melody:
(Image of a short melody with 4 notes marked with asterisks, intervals to be determined)
Scoring Breakdown:
| Interval | Type | Consonance/Dissonance | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (e.g., Major 2nd) | (e.g., Dissonant) | 1 |
| 2 | (e.g., Minor 3rd) | (e.g., Consonant) | 1 |
| 3 | (e.g., Perfect 4th) | (e.g., Dissonant) | 1 |
| 4 | (e.g., Perfect 5th) | (e.g., Consonant) | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Note: Answers will vary depending on the melody provided. The above is just an example of how the scoring would work.
Example Answer (based on a sample melody):
| Interval | Type | Consonance/Dissonance | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major 2nd | Dissonant | 1 |
| 2 | Minor 3rd | Consonant | 1 |
| 3 | Perfect 4th | Dissonant | 1 |
| 4 | Perfect 5th | Consonant | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Many students confuse major and minor intervals. Always check the number of half steps.
Remember the order: Major (M) is larger than minor (m), and Augmented (A) is larger than Major (M), and diminished (d) is smaller than minor (m). Perfect (P) intervals are a special case.
You've got this! Go rock that AP Music Theory exam! 🚀
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