AP-Music Theory Test

I'm going to (probably) be a Music Ed/Music Theory double major with the intent of going on to grad school to work on getting my doctorette in MT (possibly composition..we'll see). Is taking the AP-Music Theory test worth the money? All the colleges that I'm considering to attend accept a score of 3 or higher, but won't let you test out of Theory 1 (they'll give you 3 credits, but you still have to take the class). Does anybody have any advice?? I'm enrolled in a music theory class right now, but my school doesn't offer an AP theory class (however I've been taking piano for ages...and am probably the biggest geek you can find in our school when it comes to music)...

Sorry bout the life story...

Also, if anyone has taken it, what do you recommend I study as I prepare to take the exam? I'm assuming there will the LOADS of ear training. I haven't been able to find much on the internet about it.

I appreciate any and all answers! Thank you!

~Elizabeth

I'm going to (probably) be a Music Ed/Music Theory double major with the intent of going on to grad school to work on getting my doctorette in MT (possibly composition..we'll see). Is taking the AP-Music Theory test worth the money? All the colleges that I'm considering to attend accept a score of 3 or higher, but won't let you test out of Theory 1 (they'll give you 3 credits, but you still have to take the class). Does anybody have any advice?? I'm enrolled in a music theory class right now, but my school doesn't offer an AP theory class (however I've been taking piano for ages...and am probably the biggest geek you can find in our school when it comes to music)...

I took the IB theory test instead of the AP, so I can't offer advice on the AP material. However, if your school does not offer the exam I would not take it. If you actually get college credit for a good score on the AP exam but you can't use those credits to place out of a class, I see little point in spending your time and money on the exam. Yes, the cost of the exam will likely be cheaper than paying for the credits/tuition directly, but if the schools you plan to attend have enough music classes to fill up your undergraduate years then you'll probably keep taking music classes anyway and the elective credits (which is probably how they'd be applied) would be useless since you'd be racking up plenty of credits anyway. Just do well in your theory course!

I loved my AP Music Theory course at my high school, best class I've ever taken. Luckily, my teacher was associated with a college, so it technically qualified as me taking the course in college thus I didn't have to take the AP test. Anyways, if you want my two cents on the matter, I wouldn't bother taking an AP test, especially if it wont count for anything or help you test out of music theory in college. Though I'd guess it would be fairly easy if you use music theory a lot in your compositions. I know it would be easy for me if I took it. Ear training is a little difficult though, takes a lot of practice.

AP test isn't that bad. It's nothing overly hard; I got a 4. Plus you get to hear new music. What's better than that?

AP tests have their uses -- they get you out of classes. If you don't get to skip the classes to get to better material, then don't worry about the test. The class? That's your call.

Now, as for AP classes, I find them to be teaching to the test, which I never find to be a good way to actually learn something. But I don't think that I learned too much about how to write music in my music classes, only (very important) peripheral stuff, so my views might be jaded.

I'm in an AP theory class now and I've heard that it's worth taking. Even if those colleges make you take the class, those credits they give you have got to be nice to have. I'm sure the written part is pretty easy. Simple analysis and such. The ear training takes practice. I think it consists of identifying chords and figured bass, and the soprano and bass parts in a chord progression, and melodic dictation. If you want a decent site to practice ear training, check out this place http://www.teoria.com/exercises/index.htm

Being a mused graduate, I would suggest that you study everything that would be on it. Scales, melodies, harmony, melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, sightreading. If you can do this stuff well, you will be much better off at college. The extra credits can open up some time later in your studies where you might be able to take some additional courses. what school are we talking about? I posted a masterclass with some basic ear training things which will get much more complex in the months to come in the masterclass section. These might be worth following for you.

Being a mused graduate, I would suggest that you study everything that would be on it. Scales, melodies, harmony, melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, sightreading. If you can do this stuff well, you will be much better off at college. The extra credits can open up some time later in your studies where you might be able to take some additional courses. I posted a masterclass with some basic ear training things which will get much more complex in the months to come in the masterclass section. These might be worth following for you.

Thanks for the tips!

what school are we talking about?

I'm almost positive I'm going to UW-Madison. It's probably the best public music school in the state of Wisconsin, at least that's what I've been told.

I posted a masterclass with some basic ear training things which will get much more complex in the months to come in the masterclass section. These might be worth following for you.

Thanks for the advice and links! I will definately look at the threads!

If you want a decent site to practice ear training, check out this place http://www.teoria.com/exercises/index.htm

Thank you for the advice/link. I will write that down and definately use it when I study!

Thank you everybody for your quick responses! They definately gave me an "insider's" oppinion. I think I'm going to sign up for the test, but if later I feel like I shouldn't take it, I can always NOT take it (since they'll refund almost all of the money you pay for it if you decide not to take the test).