Melodic dictation practice
Hear the key chord and a short melody, then tap it back on the keys. Each note is marked right or wrong on the staff.
Press Play melody: you will hear the key chord, then 4 notes. Then tap them on the keys below, starting with the given note.
Keyboard: Space plays, letters A–G enter notes (in the key), Backspace undoes, Enter goes to the next melody.
A method for dictation
- Hear the key. Sing the tonic after the opening chord.
- Hear the contour. On the first play, just follow whether each note goes up, down or repeats.
- Hear the degrees. Most melodies move by step. Name each note as a scale degree (1, 2, 3…) or with solfège syllables.
- Check the leaps. A jump is usually to a note of the tonic chord (1, 3 or 5). Your interval training pays off here.
Questions
What is melodic dictation?
Melodic dictation means hearing a short melody and writing it down (or here, playing it back). It combines interval recognition, a sense of the key, and short-term musical memory, and it is a standard part of conservatory and AP Music Theory exams.
How do I get better at melodic dictation?
Listen to the whole melody before answering. Identify the first note relative to the tonic, then sing the melody back in your head using scale degrees or solfège. Write the contour (up, down, same) first, then the exact intervals.
Why does the drill play the tonic chord first?
Exams normally establish the key before a dictation. Hearing the tonic chord lets you hear each note as a scale degree rather than as an isolated pitch.
Is melodic dictation on the AP Music Theory exam?
Yes. The free-response section of the College Board’s AP Music Theory exam includes melodic dictation, where you notate melodies played several times. Check the current AP course and exam description for the exact format.
Can I practise dictation in minor keys?
Yes. Open the settings and switch on “Minor key”. The drill then plays the minor tonic chord and a melody in the natural minor, using the relative major’s key signature.
Do I need to find the exact octave?
No. Any C counts as C, so you can focus on the pitches. The first note is given to you on the staff to anchor the melody.