Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures
Abigail Young
8 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Music Theory study guide covers major and minor modes, including identifying changes by ear. It explains parallel and relative keys, their relationships, and how to find them. The guide also details minor key signatures, the three types of minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic), and using the circle of fifths. It includes practice questions and exam tips focusing on aural skills and free-response strategies.
AP Music Theory: Major and Minor Modes - Your Ultimate Guide ๐ถ
Hey there, future music maestro! Let's get you prepped and confident for the AP Music Theory exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll make sure everything clicks, and you'll feel ready to rock! ๐ธ
Modes: Major and Minor
What are Modes? ๐ค
In music, tonality refers to the key of a piece. A mode is a variation of a scale that creates a specific mood or character. The two most common modes are major and minor.
- Major Mode: Often sounds bright, happy, and uplifting.
- Minor Mode: Often sounds darker, sad, or introspective.
Changes in mode (e.g., from major to minor) are common in music and can create powerful emotional shifts. You'll need to recognize these changes by ear on the exam.
Relative Pitch is Key
Don't worry about having perfect pitch! The AP exam focuses on relative pitch. This means you'll need to identify changes in tonality (major to minor, or vice versa) by ear, not the specific letter names of the keys.
Example: Chopin's Piece ๐ง
Notice how the mood shifts? That's a change in mode!
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Question:
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A piece of music begins in a major key and then shifts to a minor key. Which of the following best describes this change? (A) A change in tempo (B) A change in mode (C) A change in dynamics (D) A change in instrumentation
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of relative pitch? (A) Ability to identify intervals (B) Ability to identify changes in mode (C) Ability to identify specific key names without reference (D) Ability to identify melodic patterns
Short Answer Question:
Explain the difference between absolute pitch and relative pitch. Why is relative pitch more important for the AP Music Theory exam?
Free Response Question:
A short musical excerpt is played twice. Describe the changes in mode, if any, that occur in the excerpt. Be specific about the location of the change and the effect it has on the overall mood of the music. (Audio excerpt will be provided during the exam)
Answer Key:
Multiple Choice:
- B
- C
Short Answer: Absolute pitch is the ability to identify any musical note without reference. Relative pitch is the ability to identify notes, intervals, and changes in tonality in relation to a reference pitch. The AP exam tests relative pitch because it is a more practical skill for musicians.
Free Response: (Scoring will be based on the accuracy of the description of the modal change, the specific location of the change, and the description of the effect on the mood. Points will be awarded for each element.)
Parallel and Relative Keys
Parallel Keys ๐ฏ
Parallel keys share the same tonic (root note) but differ in mode (major vs. minor).
- Example: C major and C minor are parallel keys.
To get the parallel minor, flat the 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees of the major scale.
Relative Keys ๐ค
Relative keys share the same key signature but have different tonics.
- Example: C major and A minor are relative keys.
The tonic of the major key is a minor third above the tonic of its relative minor.
Example: Finding Relative Minor
Let's find the relative minor of Ab Major:
- Go down a minor third from Ab. This lands on F.
- Therefore, the relative minor of Ab major is F minor.
Major to minor: Think "down a minor third" to find the relative minor. โฌ๏ธ
Key Signature of F minor
The key signature of F minor is the same as its relative major, which is Ab major. Therefore, F minor has 4 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Question:
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Which of the following pairs represents parallel keys? (A) C major and G major (B) A minor and C major (C) D major and D minor (D) E minor and G major
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If a piece is in E major, what is the tonic of its relative minor? (A) G# (B) C# (C) A (D) F#
Short Answer Question:
Explain the difference between parallel and relative keys. Give an example of each.
Free Response Question:
Analyze the given musical excerpt. Identify the key of the piece and then identify the parallel and relative keys. Describe how the piece might sound if it were modulated to the parallel or relative key. (Audio excerpt will be provided during the exam)
Answer Key:
Multiple Choice:
- C
- B
Short Answer: Parallel keys share the same tonic but differ in mode (e.g., C major and C minor). Relative keys share the same key signature but have different tonics (e.g., C major and A minor).
Free Response: (Scoring will be based on the accuracy of the key identification, the identification of parallel and relative keys, and the description of the potential sound of the modulated piece. Points will be awarded for each element.)
Minor Key Signatures ๐ผ
Types of Minor Keys
There are three types of minor keys:
- Natural Minor: The basic minor scale, derived directly from the relative major.
- Harmonic Minor: Raises the 7th scale degree to create a stronger pull to the tonic.
- Melodic Minor: Raises the 6th and 7th scale degrees when ascending, but reverts to the natural minor when descending.
Key signatures are always written in the natural minor form, even if the music uses harmonic or melodic minor alterations.
Circle of Fifths for Minor Keys ๐
The circle of fifths is your friend! It helps you quickly determine key signatures for both major and minor keys.
- Starting at A minor (no sharps or flats):
- Clockwise (sharps): e minor (1#), b minor (2#), etc.
- Counterclockwise (flats): d minor (1b), g minor (2b), etc.
Remember the circle of fifths! Clockwise adds sharps, counterclockwise adds flats. Start with A minor (0 accidentals) and go from there.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Question:
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Which type of minor scale is used to determine the key signature? (A) Harmonic minor (B) Melodic minor (C) Natural minor (D) All of the above
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According to the circle of fifths, how many sharps are in the key of B minor? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
Short Answer Question:
Explain why key signatures for minor keys are always written in the natural minor form, even if the music uses harmonic or melodic minor scales.
Free Response Question:
Given a short musical excerpt, identify the key signature. Then, identify the type of minor scale used in the excerpt (natural, harmonic, or melodic). Justify your answer. (Audio excerpt will be provided during the exam)
Answer Key:
Multiple Choice:
- C
- B
Short Answer: Key signatures are always written in the natural minor form to avoid the awkwardness of having both sharps and flats in the key signature. The alterations of harmonic and melodic minor are indicated with accidentals.
Free Response: (Scoring will be based on the accuracy of the key signature identification, the correct identification of the minor scale type, and the justification of the answer. Points will be awarded for each element.)
Final Exam Focus ๐ฏ
High-Priority Topics
- Identifying changes in mode (major/minor) by ear.
- Understanding parallel and relative keys.
- Using the circle of fifths to determine key signatures.
- Knowing the difference between natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales.
Common Question Types
- Multiple-choice questions: Testing your knowledge of key signatures, parallel/relative keys, and scale types.
- Aural skills questions: Identifying changes in mode, melodic dictation, and harmonic analysis.
- Free-response questions: Analyzing musical excerpts, harmonizing melodies, and composing short pieces.
Last-Minute Tips
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if needed.
- Aural Skills: Practice listening to lots of music and identifying changes in mode and key.
- FRQs: Plan your responses before you start writing. Make sure to address all parts of the prompt.
- Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths and trust your preparation.
Good luck, and happy music-making! ๐ถโจ
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Question 1 of 12
Which mode typically creates a bright and happy feeling? ๐
Minor
Major
Harmonic
Melodic