AP Music Theory Exam Study Guide
Rated A+
What is the term for a melody that is based on a repeating pattern?
A ostinato.
What is the term for the distance between a note and the next closest note in the scale?
A half step.
What is the term for the fourth degree of the scale?
Th...
AP Music Theory Exam Study Guide
Rated A+
What is the term for a melody that is based on a repeating pattern?
✔✔ A ostinato.
What is the term for the distance between a note and the next closest note in the scale?
✔✔ A half step.
What is the term for the fourth degree of the scale?
✔✔ The subdominant.
What is the interval between F and B♭?
✔✔ A perfect fourth.
What is the term for a harmonic or melodic interval that is one semitone apart?
✔✔ A half step.
1
,What does "forte" mean in music?
✔✔ Loud.
What is the term for a chord that is built on the fifth degree of the scale?
✔✔ The dominant chord.
What is the term for the process of moving from one key to another in music?
✔✔ Modulation.
What is the term for a rhythm that has strong beats on unexpected places?
✔✔ Syncopation.
What is the term for a chord built from the first, third, and fifth scale degrees?
✔✔ A triad.
What is the symbol used to indicate that a note should be held for an extended time beyond its
usual duration?
✔✔ A fermata.
2
,What does "allegro" indicate about the tempo of a piece?
✔✔ It should be fast.
What is the term for the repetition of a melody at a different pitch level?
✔✔ Sequence.
What does "adagio" mean in terms of tempo?
✔✔ Slowly.
What is the term for the first note of a scale?
✔✔ The tonic.
What does "staccato" mean in terms of articulation?
✔✔ Play the note short and detached.
What is the difference between a major and minor scale?
3
, ✔✔ A major scale has a specific pattern of whole and half steps, whereas a minor scale has a
different pattern, with a lowered third, sixth, and seventh degree.
What is the time signature for a piece that has four beats per measure, with the quarter note
getting one beat?
✔✔ 4/4.
What is the term for a group of notes that form a melody and are accompanied by harmony?
✔✔ A theme.
What does "diminuendo" mean in music?
✔✔ Gradually getting softer.
What is the term for a musical rest that lasts for one quarter note?
✔✔ A quarter rest.
What is the term for a chord that resolves to the tonic in a cadence?
✔✔ A dominant chord.
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