How difficult is music theory?
It CAN get just as complicated as physics (okay maybe not quite that complicated but it depends on how complicated you think physics is). But it's usually not. The only times you have to get into the really complicated is if you are a composer and your really advanced. The basics is really easy, but don't forget that you also have to do ear training. Here's a good website for music theory: http://classic.musictheory.net/ if you want to go ahead and look to see how complicated it can get, but even here it doesn't get as bad as it could. Anyways, if you have a good teacher or it just comes naturally to you and makes sense it obviously won't be that difficult, it just depends a lot on how it is explained.
AP Music Theory or AP Calculus?
How much music theory do you know already? Take a sample test now, if you can - my high school never had an AP Music Theory class, but I got a 5 on the test because I had taken 13 years of piano lessons that centered around theory quite a bit. Also, check the requirements for the college(s) you want to go to. Many will allow you to use your AP credit in calcus if you are a music major but not if you're a math major, or your AP credit ofr music theory if you're a math major but not if you're a music major . . . so if you feel that you understand theory pretty well already, and your college wouldn't give you credit for it anyway, I'd go for the math. From what I remember of the AP Music Theory test, you have to be able to: 1) Take a simple melodic dictation (one part) and a four-part dictation from a familiar piece (my hear was the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah). 2) Answer several questions about key signatures, time signatures, etc. 3) Know your modes (lydian, myxolidian, etc.) and how they change the feel of the piece 4) Know your diminished and half-diminished chords, in all inversions 5) Most importantly, be able to do all of this without humming, using a piano, or otherwise making noise. This is harder than it seems. If all of that stuff above made sense to you, try a practice test - you can order them from princetonreview.com, I believe. If some of it sounded confusing, you may benefit from the class. Freshman year is MUCH easier if you already have a good grasp of the material, and I suspect most freshman music theory courses are similar - you learn all the basics, taking dictation, a bit of keyboard and voice skills as a "lab practical," and you work your way into writing your own music following voice-leading techniques.
AP Music Theory Curve?
According to a couple people on the internet, you can get sub-50% for a 3, down to around 40%. That may be an exaggeration. If that's correct, you can also get 50% (or a little higher) and get a 4, and above 60-70% would be a 5. It may not be correct, but judging by the difficulty of the test today, I wouldn't be surprised. Don't forget the subtracted 1/3 point per wrong question and the fact that much of the free response section was very subjective... hope you did well, though.
How hard is AP Music Theory?
I'm going into freshman year next year and we're selecting our courses. I'm currently debating between AP Music Theory and Orchestra, and I was wondering how hard the AP Music Theory class is. I took the pre-requisite exam and passed so the teacher said that I could skip Music Theory 1 and "be fine" in AP Music Theory. Also I have done 11 levels of Achievement In Music (AIMS) theory and played piano since age 5. Am I prepared for the class?
AP Music Theory: How hard is the AP Music theory test? What are the components of the test?
You can learn more about the format of the exam and checkout the Barron's review book at http://www.apreviewbooks.com/exam/AP-Mus... . Click on the link exam questions and answers to learn more about the exam. As the AP music theory is a smaller exam (less students take it) there are not a lot of options for review books as there are with some of the other exams. Get the Barron's book and work all the way through it. This will give you a good idea of what to expect on the test and what material study more. Do all the practice exams under timed conditions and be sure to understand all the questions you miss. Good luck on your exam.
AP Music Theory test tips?
I'm taking the AP Music Theory test this coming Monday the 14th, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips, or links or anything. From people who've taken it already, what should I watch out for or focus on more? I'm ok in written, but not so good in ear training... Anyone know the grading scale also (like how high you have to score for a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)? There's a lot of info on the other AP tests, but not as much for Music Theory... I've also checked out the CollegeBoard site, but I was wondering if there were any more places I could get multiple choice questions, with or without the aural. Thanks!
Can I take ap music theory as a beginner?
I am considering taking ap music theory in the fall (my senior year). I want to take it because I really enjoy singing and want to learn more about music in case I want I continue wih it. Choir at my school is kind of a waste of time and I'm already in musical theatre. I took a couple of years of piano when I was younger, I can read music (slowly), and I also have a lot of friends that are really I to music theory so they could help. Am I able to take ap music theory even though it'll be a challenge, or is it just ridiculous? (also I don't mind not passing the ap test, I just want a good grade in the class)