I’m currently a freshman in high school, and i’ll be working out my 4 year plan soon. I’m thinking about taking music theory AP (advanced placement) next year as a softmore, if possible. I’m taking piano as my elective this year.
What is taught in that kind of class? Is it hard?
AP Music Theory is designed to replace your college freshman theory class. So because of that, a lot of your material will be parts of the basic building blocks of theory. You won’t have to greatly implement those building blocks until college, but once you are done with this class you will know these concepts by heart. Once you are finished with the class you will know most of what there is to know about keys, scales, modes, clefs, meters, and basic progressions and cadences. Ear training will also be included.
You will probably not actually be doing any detailed analysis of music until college. This AP course is all about making sure that you are intimately familiar with the components of music. Because you can’t building anything if you aren’t familiar with your tools and your building materials.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:47 am
I took AP music theory and if you study and take the class seriously, it should be no problem. You can’t bullcrap your way through the class, you must learn what they teach you.
We learned a lot of great and essential things, everything from ear training, intermediate to early advanced music theory (such as chords, progressions, intervals, scales), improvisation, solfege, composition, transcription, etc. (It also depends on your teacher.) I LOVED music theory class, and it taught me a lot.
Just really learn the material, (don’t focus on the test) and you’ll do great!
References :
March 6th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Note notation, rhythmic notation, how to draw or write clefs, notes etc..,note names for both clefs, familiarity with a keyboard (note names),scale names and identification by sound. Ear training and sight singing are major parts of a good music theory foundation. If you are just interested in a fluff course I wouldn’t recommend it. If you are a casual or serios musician and have a possible hope of pursuing a career in music you must have a good foundation in theory. The younger you are and the more you are exposed to music theory the easier it will be later. It is worth investing your time in.
References :
March 6th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
AP Music Theory is designed to replace your college freshman theory class. So because of that, a lot of your material will be parts of the basic building blocks of theory. You won’t have to greatly implement those building blocks until college, but once you are done with this class you will know these concepts by heart. Once you are finished with the class you will know most of what there is to know about keys, scales, modes, clefs, meters, and basic progressions and cadences. Ear training will also be included.
You will probably not actually be doing any detailed analysis of music until college. This AP course is all about making sure that you are intimately familiar with the components of music. Because you can’t building anything if you aren’t familiar with your tools and your building materials.
References :