<p>I was just wondering if I need to take any prerequisite to AP Music Theory. I play guitar, and know some scales and some basic composition skills but not much other than that. I don't have a great pitch, but I'm sure I can improve on that. I've been playing for about 4 years now. Thanks to all in advance.</p>
<p>Can you read traditional notation?</p>
<p>You’re going to need to at least be knowledgeable in the areas covered by Theory 1 & 2 at your HS. I suspect that they are pre-reqs to the AP Theory class - I know that they are at our HS. If you have that knowledge under your belt (and it honestly doesn’t sound as though you do), you may be able to convince your guidance counselor/music teacher to place you out of one or the other in order to take AP Theory. Even if they don’t, the teacher may allow you to work forward at your own pace.</p>
<p>Our HS doesn’t have any prereqs for AP Music Theory, but it is only by invitation of the music dept faculty. Talk to the teachers at your school about what they recommend.</p>
<p>FWIW… my daughter had taken several music theory classes at the local conservatory community school, while she was in middle school. She did very well at it, but was totally uninterested at the time.</p>
<p>Going into senior year of hs, she was VERY INTERESTED in all-things-music, and wanted to take the AP class. The teacher was very resistant as she hadn’t taken his regular theory class. Basically, he seemed offended that she thought his introductory class was not necessary.</p>
<p>She decided not to fight it, since it had been a long time since she’d taken the basic theory classes. They compromised - she took the regular class, and the AP exam.</p>
<p>She was bored for a lot of the class. We don’t know yet how she did on the AP test.</p>
<p>There is no “regular” theory or intro at my school. I am taking a semester long guitar elective, where we play guitar, learn songs, do some very basic music theory and do some intro to traditional notation. In response to Riku, I do know traditional notation, but not well enough to read and play guitar. When I read the course description, it says that the first semester is a regular-ish course, while the second trimester is in preparation for the AP, so I will talk to the teachers, and I think you can opt-out second trimester if you don’t want to take it. Should I still take it? would I still be able to do well?</p>
<p>As you mention, vcelts123, you need to talk to the teachers of the course. They know the level of difficulty of the course–not all AP music theory courses are of equal difficulty. They will be able to determine your degree of preparedness by interacting with you a bit. Their advice will be much more informed than anything someone online can give you.</p>