Major Keys and Key Signatures
Hannah Hill
8 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Music Theory study guide covers keys and key signatures, including identification, and the concept of tonality. It explores the circle of fifths to understand key relationships and defines closely related keys. The guide also explains how to notate and sing melodies in major keys, focusing on identifying the tonic and using major scale knowledge. Practice questions and exam tips are provided.
#AP Music Theory: Keys, Key Signatures, and Melodies - Your Ultimate Review 🎶
Hey there, future music master! Let's get you prepped and confident for the AP Music Theory exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially for that last-minute review. Let's dive in!
#Keys and Key Signatures: The Foundation 🔑
#What is a Key?
When a piece of music centers around a specific major or minor scale, we say it's in a particular key. Think of it as the home base for the music. For instance, if a song uses the notes of the F major scale and F feels like the central pitch, it's "in the key of F major."
#Key Signatures: Your Road Map 🗺️
Key signatures are those sharps or flats at the beginning of a piece that tell you what key you're in. They're placed right after the clef and time signature and apply throughout the entire piece. Remember, they help you know which notes are always sharp or flat in that key.
The C major scale has no sharps or flats! It's the blank canvas of key signatures. 🎨
There are 12 major keys in total, one for each note of the chromatic scale. Enharmonic equivalents (like C# and Db) are considered the same key, even with different key signatures. 💡
Here's a handy visual of all the key signatures:
Key signatures establish the tonality of a piece. The tonic (first scale degree) is the most important note, and all other notes are related to it by specific intervals.
For example:
- One sharp: G major or E minor.
- Two sharps: D major or B minor.
- One flat: F major or D minor.
- Two flats: Bb major or G minor.
#Finding the Key: Quick Tricks 🪄
#Sharps:
Look at the last sharp in the key signature and go up a half step. If the...
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