AP® Music Theory
Course Summary
Examine the fundamental building blocks of music theory. Students acquire a solid foundation of the language and concepts of music theory, including notation, major and minor scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, 7th chords, inversions, voicing, part writing, and sight singing. Students also engage with advanced content such as roman numeral analysis, figured bass, modulation, cadences, secondary chords, musical structure, aural skills, and more. In this course, acquire the ability to visually and aurally identify pitch relationships and rhythmic musical elements.
This course prepares students for the AP® Music Theory exam.
Course Prerequisite(s):
None. However, students should have a background in reading music, an understanding of music fundamentals, and experience in an instrument or voice.
Curriculum
This is a 2-semester course. We do not recommend taking both semesters simultaneously.
Unit 1: What is Music Theory
- What is Music Theory?
- Pitch Notation System
- Rhythmic Notation Elements
- Rhythmic Notation System
- Simple and Compound Meter
Unit 2: Scales
- Half and Whole Steps
- Accidentals and Chromaticism
- Chromatic Scales
- Major Scales
- Major Key Signatures
- Circle of Fifths
- Major Scale Degrees
- Fixed 'Do'
- Movable 'Do'
- Natural Minor
- Harmonic Minor
- Melodic Minor
- Parallel and Relative Minor
- Minor Key Signatures
- Minor Scale Degrees
Unit 3: Intervals and Chords
- Major and Perfect Intervals
- Altered Intervals
- Issues with Intervals
Unit 4: Diatonic Chords
- Major Triads
- Minor Triads
- Diminished Triads
- Augmented Triads
- Four Part Voicing
- Part Writing
- First Inversion Triads
- Second Inversion Triads
Unit 5: Modes
- Modes
Unit 6: 7th Chords
- Introduction to 7th Chords
- 7th Chord Inversions
Unit 7: Roman Numeral Analysis and Voice Leading
- Roman Numeral Analysis in Major Keys
- Roman Numeral Analysis in Minor Keys
- Roman Numeral Analysis and Figured Bass
- Secondary Dominants
- Modulation
- Non-Harmonic Tones
- Augmented 6th Chords
- Chord Progressions and Cadences
Unit 8: Composition
- Musical Structure
- Musical Form
- Composition and Score Analysis
- Instrumental Writing and Transposition