AP Music Theory Flashcards: Major Keys and Key Signatures
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
If a melody is in B-flat Major, is the pitch E-flat considered diatonic or chromatic?
The pitch E-flat is considered diatonic because it belongs to the B-flat major scale.
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If a melody is in B-flat Major, is the pitch E-flat considered diatonic or chromatic?
The pitch E-flat is considered diatonic because it belongs to the B-flat major scale.
Define "chromatic" pitches.
Chromatic pitches are notes that do not belong to the specific major or minor scale indicated by the key signature.
If a piece is in C Major, how would you classify the pitch F-sharp?
The pitch F-sharp would be classified as chromatic because it does not belong to the C major scale.
Define "diatonic" pitches.
Diatonic pitches are notes that belong to the specific major or minor scale indicated by the key signature.
How does one identify the key of a piece of notated music?
One identifies the key by analyzing the key signature and observing which major or minor scale is used prominently in the passage.
When notating a performed melody, what two musical elements must be accurately transcribed?
You must accurately notate both the pitches and the rhythms of the performed melody.
What is a key signature?
A key signature is the set of sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff that represents the specific pitches of a major or minor scale.
What is the relationship between a scale and its corresponding key signature?
A key signature visually represents the specific pitches that make up a particular major or minor scale on the musical staff.
What does it mean for a musical passage to be "in a key"?
It means that a particular major or minor scale is used prominently within the passage, establishing a tonal center.
What is the most crucial skill for achieving accurate pitch notation during melodic dictation?
Accurate dictation depends on correctly identifying the relationship of the performed pitches to the tonic of the key.