AP Music Theory Flashcards: Pitch and Pitch Notation
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.
What is the relationship between a musical score and the pitches in a performance?
A musical score outlines the specific pitches to be performed, and performed pitches should not deviate from it unless improvisation or ornamentation is allowed.
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What is the relationship between a musical score and the pitches in a performance?
A musical score outlines the specific pitches to be performed, and performed pitches should not deviate from it unless improvisation or ornamentation is allowed.
What two elements work together to determine a specific note's letter name on a staff?
The note's position on a line or space and the type of clef (e.g., treble, bass) at the beginning of the staff determine its letter name.
What is sight-singing?
Sight-singing is the musical skill of singing the pitches and rhythms of a melody directly from notation without prior rehearsal.
What is a pitch discrepancy?
A pitch discrepancy is a difference between the pitch written in the notated music and the pitch that is actually performed.
How is the specific pitch of a note indicated in music notation?
A note's pitch is shown by its position on the lines and spaces of a staff, which are assigned specific letter names by a clef.
If you are analyzing a performance against its score and notice a difference in a note's pitch, what are you identifying?
You are identifying a pitch discrepancy between the notated music and the performed music.
What four types of clefs are mentioned for assigning pitch names to a staff?
The text mentions treble, bass, alto, and tenor clefs.
What is a pitch in music?
A pitch is a discrete tone with a specific frequency.
What is the function of a clef?
A clef assigns specific letter names to the lines and spaces of a staff, thereby indicating the pitch of the notes placed on them.
Under what circumstances might performed pitches legitimately deviate from a notated score?
Performed pitches may deviate from the score in musical styles that allow for improvisation and ornamentation.