AP Music Theory... Online

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I am a 14 year old student going into high school this fall and for my second semester I had an opening in my schedule to where I had to take a class online. I want to take AP Music Theory. My band teacher said he would not recommend it because he had a former student who was a pianist take the class and not do well. I'll just give some of my music background now. I started playing cello two years ago and I am playing Brahms Sonatas and some of the Bach Cello Suites now. I started piano about a year and a half ago and now I am finishing Fur Elise (Not that hard). Then I joined band in my 7th grade year to play French Horn where I made Honor Band for (I auditioned after only playing 6 months). Then after those I started experimenting with all of the other instruments: oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, euphonium (not tuba or trombone). I also made 8th grade All-State chorus with 89/90 score. I have a good ear and have already finished interval training and am now working on cadence ear training and harmonic dictation. As for theory, I just started working on secondary dominants. I currently take lessons each week for cello, french horn, piano/voice, and (for a while) flute. I am a hard worker. I passed all of my 8th grade classes with 97 in the class or above and I took two high school classes at the same time. I am currently taking a class online now to supplement an AP class I want to take as a sophomore so I have some experience with online classes. When my (new) band teacher told me that he didn't recommend it, I did some research. I took one of the practice tests for AP Music Theory (only the Multiple choice), and without doing any studying, I made a 60. I then took a look at the class and all of the concepts I have to learn or learn better, which I am going to put below.</p>

<p>Part 1A- Multiple Choice with played music
Identifying intervals
Identifying chords (Inverted)
Identifying Scales
Identifying 7ths
Identifying Simple Melodies and Rhythms (Choosing the Correct one)
Meter
Expressive Elements
Error Detection in Pitch and Rhythm (Compared to a played Melody)
Analysis of Musical Selections (No Sheet Music)
Embellishing Tones
Cadence Identifications
Musical Texture (Homophony…)
Nonharmonic Tones (Suspensions, Neighbor tones)
Functions and Common Progressions
Form (AABA)</p>

<p>Part 1B- Multiple Choice
Inversions
Scale Degrees
Parallel and Relative Major and Minor Keys
Time Signature Identificaton
Triad Identification
Rhythmic Motive Identification
Seventh Identification
Clef Notation (Tenor and Alto too)
Medieval Modes
Transposition of a Melody
Musical Vocabulary (Not much, like tempo speeds)
Cadences
Form (Contrasting, Parallel…)
Rhythmic Devices (Polyrhythm, RHythmic Augmentation…)
Compositional Devices
Part-Writing- Error Detection
Nonchordal Tone Identification
Nonharmonic Tone Identification</p>

<p>Part 2- Sight Singing (10%) Free Response (45%)
Sight Singing
Harmonic Dictation ( I have a good ear, but I have never tried Harmonic Dictation. Also, I couldn't take this part of the AP Test because the website didn't have the melody for my to write down.)
Simple Treble and Bass Melodies (Separate)
Simple Treble and Bass Melodies (Together)- 1 Major, 1 Minor
Part-Writing Given the Chords
Compose a Bass Line Given the Soprano Melody
Chord Analysis</p>

<p>All of the stuff spaced really far right is stuff I know and am comfortable with. I am still wanting to take the course. I talked to all of my private music teachers, and they all recommended that I take it, but they would prefer it if I took it with a teacher not online. Since that is not an option, they said they thought I would do fine. I talked to my band teacher again and he basically said he didn't want me to take it as a freshman, he said that he wanted me to have more APs under my belt. I am also taking AP Gov. this year too. </p>

<p>I am still pretty sure I am going to take it, my questions for everyone are: What is a good way to practice harmonic dictation and part writing (online preferably)? How hard is the actual AP test and class? If anyone has taken it online, could they share their experience? (and Finally) What prep book or theory would you recommend to help me in this course? ( I have the latest edition of "Harmony in Context" that UGA uses for 3 Semesters of Music Theory.)</p>

<p>Sorry it's so long...</p>

2

<p>It didn’t space it right when I posted it so, the stuff I have down is
Part 1A- Multiple Choice with played music
Identifying intervals
Identifying chords (Inverted)
Identifying Scales
Identifying 7ths
Identifying Simple Melodies and Rhythms (Choosing the Correct one)
Meter
Expressive Elements
Error Detection in Pitch and Rhythm (Compared to a played Melody)</p>

<p>Part 1B- Multiple Choice
Inversions
Scale Degrees
Parallel and Relative Major and Minor Keys
Time Signature Identificaton
Triad Identification
Rhythmic Motive Identification
Seventh Identification
Clef Notation (Tenor and Alto too)
Medieval Modes
Transposition of a Melody
Musical Vocabulary (Not much, like tempo speeds)</p>

<p>Part 2- Sight Singing (10%) Free Response (45%)
Sight Singing</p>

3

<p>Greetings. You sound like someone up to the challenge of AP Theory online.
However, I have to ask how rigorous the rest of your highschool curriculum is.
I’ve been told by others that the AP Online requires an average of 10 hours a week. If this is true, I would hate to see you start off your highschool career without sufficient time to do well in your other academic subjects, or without sufficient time to take full advantage of the music program at your school.</p>

<p>While you sound well-positioned to take it, please understand that college BMus degrees at top schools will not accept it in place of theory, although it may prepare you well for university theory.</p>

<p>For this and the time-factor reasons, if you were my son or daughter, I would advise you to wait until after your freshman high school year and then determine whether you don’t mind the additional time (eg. if your academic load is handled easily…or not) or whether your time is better spent managing your workload.</p>

<p>My son’s school was at G/T college prep magnet program, so he was dealing with a min. of three to four hours of homework a night, plus two different band practices, plus lessons, plus extracurricular and dual enrolled opportunities. His strong academics paid off nicely with a tuition scholarship at a top music school/university.</p>

<p>That said, if you’re determined to proceed, best wishes for success. But don’t let AP music theory negatively impact your other academic courses AT ALL because it simply will not be accepted as a college credit when the time comes.</p>

4

<p>What theory courses does your school offer prior to AP theory? If there are theory courses leading to AP music theory I would suggest taking one of those prior to AP music theory unless they are just a joke. How are you doing with secondary dominants.</p>

5

<p>I’ve gotten to where I can identify them, but not as quickly as identifying figured bass or chordal progressions</p>

6

<p>If your goal is to obtain a solid foundation in music theory and such a course is offered by your school, I still think a first course in music theory would be better than jumping into online AP Music Theory. If it’s the fact that you want another AP course your freashman year, keep in mind that most conservatories and many university schools of music do not accept AP music theory for credit.</p>

7

<p>S2 is going into college this year and wants to double major in music. He did not take a high school theory class (it was not offered) so this summer he is self studying the music theory book so he will be more prepared for music theory courses in college. I would recommenfd that you take ‘regular’ high school theory course first if it is offered or study the AP Music theory book over next summer. There are 1/2 sememster AP courses in economics that you could take if you felt you needed an AP course freshman year. It is good you are thinking ahead.</p>

8

<p>I’m just going to try and answer your last couple questions. (I took APMT in an online class.)</p>

<p>“What is a good way to practice harmonic dictation and part writing (online preferably)?”
I don’t know of any online program, but we (my class) prepared for the aural portion with this software: [MacGAMUT</a> HOMEPAGE](<a href=“http://www.macgamut.com/]MacGAMUT”>http://www.macgamut.com/). It was extremely helpful, with exercises on harmonic dictation, chord identification, part writing, scale mode identification, etc. And you don’t need to purchase it as part of a class.</p>

<p>“How hard is the actual AP test and class?”
The AP test itself is pretty tough, especially because it has time limits (like every other AP), but I’m pretty sure the grading curve is quite lenient. (I did not finish several sections and still received a 5, even on subscores). It’s especially important to ace the sight-singing portion, so be sure to practice that.</p>

<p>“If anyone has taken it online, could they share their experience?”
I took my class here-- it was pretty great. [Pennsylvania</a> Homeschoolers AP Online Classes](<a href=“http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/]Pennsylvania”>http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/)</p>

<p>“What prep book or theory would you recommend to help me in this course?”
I used Barron’s AP Music Theory prep guidebook. For the textbook we used “The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis” (just the first 20 or so chapters).</p>

<p>Hope that helped, feel free to PM me for more questions.</p>

9

<p>ccarter, I sent you a private message.</p>

10

<p>You sound like a very hard worker, and it is wonderful that you are having so many experiences with music. </p>

<p>Can you clarify a couple of things? Why do you say you have to take a class online? And why do you need to take an AP class as a freshman? Is your guidance office requiring these? You are doing a lot, with quite a few instruments as well as singing. Can you leave time for these pursuits, in your schedule?</p>

<p>As a freshman in high school, I think you should continue to explore your interests and enjoy them as much as you can. By the end of high school, your interests may be more focused in music, or you may even have gone in another direction entirely.</p>

<p>Music theory is very helpful for musicians and composers. Does your high school offer any theory? Are you currently studying theory on your own, or do you have a teacher? Are you near a Saturday program for high school students at a conservatory or college? Is there a piano or other music teacher who could work on theory privately with you?</p>

<p>I suggest starting with some of those other avenues, at your school, in your community, or at a prep program.</p>

<p>Colleges and conservatories (that I know of) do not take the AP music theory in place of their own theory classes. Each school seems to do theory a little differently. So if your goal is simply to learn theory so as to enhance your musical practice, I hope you can find a way that satisfies, with rigor, but without undue stress.</p>

<p>Good luck with your first semester of high school! You have plenty of time ahead of you…</p>

11

<p>I am a rising senior who took the AP Music Theory last year. I know some sophmores, even some freshmen who took it who were in my class(I’m homeschooled and I am in a honors music program at a conservatory near me where I had the class), but I wouldn’t recommend taking it unless during your freshman year unless you aren’t taking any others(which you are). You sound like a VERY talented musician, but you have to be very careful about stretching yourself to thin. TRUST ME. I was a double major in voice and piano in my honors music program, as well as taking three APs, and I was fried like an egg by the time junior year ended. </p>

<p>My advice to you would be as follows: Take the AP music theory exam in your sophmore year and take this year to adjust to HS. In the meantime, see if you can set up some sort of private tutoring in music theory either in person or online. For ear training, I have an excellent tip from a friend: sit down at your piano and play the C Maj scale, each time picking an interval and singing it above the notes of the scale while you’re going up(for example, let’s say I decided to practice a perfect 5th. I would start with C, singing a perfect 5th above that, then play a D and sing a perfect 5th above the D.) The key to this is is to sing the interval ABOVE THE NOTE YOU ARE PLAYING ON THE KEYBOARD. This is great interval exercise and will help train your ear considerably.</p>

<p>I hope this helps you. As one musical highschooler to another, I wish you good luck in your endevors.</p>