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Music Fundamentals II (Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture)

Hannah Hill

Hannah Hill

9 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This AP Music Theory study guide covers minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic), key relationships (relative, parallel, closely/distantly related), chromatic, whole tone, and pentatonic scales, interval size and quality, interval inversion, transposing instruments, timbre, melodic features and transposition, texture types (monophony, homophony, polyphony) including counterpoint, and common rhythmic devices. The guide emphasizes practice with multiple-choice questions and free-response questions, and offers key exam tips.

AP Music Theory: Ultimate Night-Before Review 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Feeling the pre-exam jitters? No worries, this guide is your secret weapon for acing the AP Music Theory exam. Let's dive in and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to rock! 🚀

2.1: Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Just like major scales, minor scales have their own unique patterns. Let's break down the three types:

  • Natural Minor: 😔 The "sad" scale. Pattern: Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole. Think of it as a major scale with lowered 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees.
    *
Memory Aid

Mnemonic: "Lower 3, 6, and 7 to go minor, naturally!"

* You can also find it by starting on the 6th degree of a major scale.
  • Harmonic Minor: 👂 The one you hear most often. It's a natural minor with a raised 7th degree.
    *
Key Concept

This creates a strong leading tone, pulling towards the tonic.

  • Melodic Minor: ⬆️⬇️ It's a bit of a chameleon. Ascending: Raised 6th and 7th. Descending: Same as natural minor. *
Quick Fact

Key signatures always reflect the natural minor scale.

Minor Scales

Practice Question

Which of the following alterations is characteristic of the harmonic minor scale?

A. Lowered 3rd
B. Raised 6th
C. Raised 7th
D. Lowered 7th

Answer: C. Raised 7th

The key signature of a piece in A minor will have the same number of sharps or flats as which major key?

A. C Major
B. F Major
C. G Major
D. E Major

Answer: A. C Major

Write a one-octave ascending and descending melodic minor scale in the key of F minor. Use accidentals as needed.

Scoring: Ascending: 1 point for correct notes Descending: 1 point for correct notes

2.2: Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures

Relative keys share the same key signature but have different tonics. They're a minor third apart.

Memory Aid

Mnemonic: "Major to minor, go down a third!"

* Example: C major and A minor are relatives.

  • Parallel Keys: Same tonic, different mode (major/minor). Example: C major and C minor.

    Parallel Keys

  • Closely Related Keys: Share many pitches and chord progressions, next to each other on the circ...

Previous Topic - Dynamics and ArticulationNext Topic - Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Question 1 of 19

What is the pattern of whole and half steps in a natural minor scale? 🎵

Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half

Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole

Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole

Half-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole