AP Music Theory Unit 2
Are you preparing for the AP Music Theory exam and feeling overwhelmed by the intricacies of Unit Two? Fear not! In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about minor scales, key relationships, intervals, transposition, timbre, melody, texture, and rhythm. Let’s dive into the details so you can ace your exam with confidence.
Unit 2 AP Music Theory Key points
2.1 Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
 2.2 Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures
 2.3 Key Relationships: Parallel, Closely Related, and Distantly Related Keys
 2.4 Other Scales: Chromatic, WholeTone, and Pentatonic
 2.6 Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals
2.8 Timbre
 2.9 Melodic Features
2.11 Texture and Texture Types
2.12 Texture Devices
2.13 Rhythmic Devices
1. Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic
Minor scales are foundational in music theory, and understanding their variations is crucial. There are three types of minor scales:
- Natural Minor Scale : Follows the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W (whole steps and half steps). It’s the raw form of the minor scale.
- Harmonic Minor Scale : Raises the 7th degree of the natural minor scale, creating a distinctive augmented second between the 6th and 7th notes.
- Melodic Minor Scale : Raises both the 6th and 7th degrees ascending, but reverts to the natural minor descending.
Understanding these scales helps you recognize and analyze pieces written in minor keys.
2. Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures
Relative keys share the same key signature but differ in tonality—one is major, and the other is minor. For example, C major and A minor are relative keys because they both have no sharps or flats.
To find the relative minor of a major key:
- Count down three half steps from the major key’s tonic.
- Alternatively, locate the 6th scale degree of the major scale.
Notating key signatures correctly is essential for identifying relative keys and ensuring accurate score reading.
3. Key Relationships: Parallel, Closely Related, and Distantly Related Keys
Key relationships define how closely two keys are connected harmonically:
- Parallel Keys : Share the same tonic but differ in mode (e.g., C major and C minor).
- Closely Related Keys : Have key signatures that differ by one accidental (e.g., G major and D major).
- Distantly Related Keys : Have key signatures that differ by more than one accidental (e.g., C major and Bb major).
These relationships are vital for modulations and harmonic analysis.
4. Other Scales: Chromatic, Whole-Tone, and Pentatonic
Beyond major and minor scales, there are other important scales to explore:
- Chromatic Scale : Contains all 12 pitches within an octave, moving exclusively by half steps.
- Whole-Tone Scale : Consists of only whole steps, creating a dreamy, ambiguous sound often used in impressionistic music.
- Pentatonic Scale : A five-note scale commonly found in folk music and jazz, with a bright and open quality.
These scales expand your compositional and analytical toolkit.
5. Interval Size and Quality
Intervals are the building blocks of melody and harmony. They are defined by their size (number of letter names spanned) and quality (major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished). For instance:
- A major third spans four half steps.
- A perfect fifth spans seven half steps.
Mastering interval recognition will enhance your ability to sight-read, compose, and analyze music.
6. Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals
Interval inversion flips an interval upside-down, changing its size and quality:
- A major third becomes a minor sixth when inverted.
- A perfect fifth becomes a perfect fourth.
Compound intervals exceed an octave (e.g., a ninth is a compound second). Understanding these concepts is crucial for advanced music theory.
7. Transposing Instruments
Transposing instruments sound at a different pitch than written. For example:
- A Bb trumpet sounds a whole step lower than written.
- An F horn sounds a perfect fifth lower.
Learning how to transpose parts ensures accurate ensemble performances and score analysis.
8. Timbre
Timbre refers to the unique “color” or tone quality of a sound. It distinguishes instruments and voices, even when playing the same pitch at the same volume. Factors influencing timbre include:
- Instrument type
- Playing technique
- Dynamics
Recognizing timbre enhances your ability to describe and appreciate music.
9. Melodic Features
Melodies consist of pitch and rhythm patterns. Key features include:
- Contour (shape of the melody)
- Range (distance between the highest and lowest notes)
- Motifs (recurring musical ideas)
Analyzing melodic features helps you understand a piece’s structure and emotional impact.
10. Melodic Transposition
Transposing a melody involves shifting it to a different key while maintaining its intervallic structure. This skill is essential for arranging and composing music across various instruments and vocal ranges.
11. Texture and Texture Types
Texture describes how layers of sound interact. Common textures include:
- Monophonic (single line of melody)
- Homophonic (melody with accompaniment)
- Polyphonic (multiple independent melodies)
Identifying texture enriches your listening experience and analytical skills.
12. Texture Devices
Texture devices manipulate layers of sound to create interest:
- Imitation (repeating a motif in different voices)
- Call and response (alternating musical phrases)
- Layering (adding or removing voices)
These techniques add depth and variety to compositions.
13. Rhythmic Devices
Rhythmic devices shape the timing and flow of music:
- Syncopation (accenting off-beats)
- Augmentation (lengthening note values)
- Diminution (shortening note values)
Understanding rhythmic devices allows you to interpret and compose dynamic rhythms effectively.
Conclusion
Unit Two of AP Music Theory lays the groundwork for advanced musical understanding. By mastering minor scales, key relationships, intervals, and other elements, you’ll be well-prepared for the exam and beyond. Practice regularly, listen actively, and apply these concepts to real-world music examples to solidify your knowledge.
Ready to take your music theory skills to the next level? Dive deeper into each topic, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. Happy studying.
Find us on Facebook
