Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales & Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre & Texture

Name: AP Music Theory Unit 2: Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales & Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre & Texture
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2 lessons · 26 min

What this unit covers

The topics below follow the published Music Theory course framework for Unit 2. Music Theory publishes no per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to chase here.

Minor scalesIntervalsMelodyTimbre & texture

Lessons in this unit

Minor Scales & Keys14 min · 3 objectivesConstruct the natural, harmonic, and melodic forms of a minor scale · Relate a minor key to its relative and parallel major · Determine a minor key signature from its relative major
Melody, Timbre & Texture12 min · 3 objectivesDescribe melodic contour, range, and conjunct vs. disjunct motion · Define timbre and name the factors that shape an instrument’s tone color · Classify texture as monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic

Formulas in Unit 2

Relative and parallel relationships

relative major = up a minor third from minor tonic · parallel = same tonic, different mode

Relative keys share a signature (A minor ↔ C major). Parallel minor lowers the major scale’s 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees (C major → C minor: E♭, A♭, B♭).

Texture at a glance

monophony = 1 line · homophony = 1 melody + accompaniment · polyphony = 2+ independent lines

Count the independent melodic lines and note whether accompaniment is subordinate (homophony) or of equal interest (polyphony).

What examiners penalize here

When you see a raised seventh degree used as an accidental in a minor-key passage, read it as **harmonic minor supplying a leading tone for the V chord**. That leading tone is what makes an authentic cadence possible in minor.
Aural questions often ask you to hear texture. Train the cue: if a second melody enters that is as interesting as the first (a fugue subject, a round), it is **polyphony**; if the added parts merely fill in chords beneath the tune, it is **homophony**.

Practice Music Theory

Our practice bank is drawn from across the whole course rather than filtered to one unit, which is closer to how the exam asks anyway — it will not tell you which unit a question is testing.

24 practice questionsEvery one with a written explanation FRQ trainerWritten answers scored against the rubric Music Theory study guideAll units, weights and score data in one place All 8 Music Theory unitsThe full course

Questions about this unit

How much of the AP Music Theory exam is Unit 2?

The Music Theory course framework does not publish a per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to quote for Unit 2 and anyone who gives you one is guessing. Spread your time by where your own errors are instead.

What topics are covered in Music Theory Unit 2?

Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales & Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre & Texture covers Minor scales, Intervals, Melody and Timbre & texture.

How should I study Music Theory Unit 2?

Read the 2 lessons below first — about 25 minutes — then work practice questions on these topics. Finish with practice questions and read the explanation for every one you get right by elimination as well as the ones you miss.

All 8 units of AP Music Theory

Unit names, topics and exam weights follow the published College Board course framework for AP Music Theory. AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which does not endorse this site.