AP Music Theory

Learn the fundamentals of music in unit 1 of the AP Music Theory course. Explore the basics of pitch, rhythm, and music notation; major scales, key signatures and scale degrees; and simple and compound time signatures. By learning these fundamental music skills, you will set yourself up for a successful year of music theory study! 

Unit 1 – Music Fundamentals I (Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements)

1.8 Rhythmic Patterns

1.6 Simple and Compound Beat Division

1.5 Major Keys and Key Signatures

1.4 Major Scales and Scale Degrees

1.7 Meter and Time Signature

1.2 Rhythmic Values

1.9 Tempo

1.10 Dynamics and Articulation

1.1 Pitch and Pitch Notation

1.3 Half Steps and Whole Steps

Unit 1 Overview: Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements

Cover minor scales, key signatures, and scale degrees; melodic, whole tone, and pentatonic scales; interval size, quality, and inversions; melodic features and transposition; and texture and rhythmic devices. You will advance your music fundamentals with these AP Music Theory Unit 2 resources!

Unit 2 – Music Fundamentals II (Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture)

2.13 Rhythmic Devices

2.12 Texture Devices

2.10 Melodic Transposition

2.7 Transposing Instruments

2.11 Texture and Texture Types

2.5 Interval Size and Quality

2.2 Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures

2.3 Key Relationships: Parallel, Closely Related, and Distantly Related Keys

2.8 Timbre

2.4 Other Scales: Chromatic, Whole-Tone, and Pentatonic

2.6 Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals

2.9 Melodic Features

2.1 Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Unit 2 Overview: Music Fundamentals II (Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture)

Get a better understanding of unit 3 of AP Music Theory. This unit focuses on chords: triads and their qualities, diatonic chords and roman numerals notation, seventh chords, chord inversions, and figured bass. In this last part of music fundamentals, you will have all the tools in your music theory toolbox to ace the AP Music Theory exam! 

Unit 3 – Music Fundamentals III (Triads and Seventh Chords)

3.3 Chord Inversions and Figures: Introduction to Figured Bass

3.4 Seventh Chords

Review of Ear Training and Building Triads

3.2 Diatonic Chords and Roman Numerals

AP Music Theory: Review of Triads + Introduction to Triads in Inversion

3.5 Seventh Chord Inversions and Figures

3.1 Triad and Chord Qualities (M, m, d, A)

Unit 3 Overview: Music Fundamentals III (Triads and Seventh Chords)

Explore unit 4 of AP Music Theory with these resources. Learn how the building blocks of music work together to form harmonic progressions, functional harmonies, and cadences. This unit also covers SATB voice leading rules with triads, seventh chords, and inversions. This is all you need to ace the part-writing portion of the AP Music Theory exam!

Unit 4 – Harmony and Voice Leading I (Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase)

4.1 Harmony and Voice Leading I

4.3 Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences

4.2 SATB Voice Leading

4.4 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

4.5 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions

Unit 4 Overview: Harmony and Voice Leading I (Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase)

Check out these resources for unit 5 of AP Music Theory. We cover chord progressions, with examples and explanations, along with the process of harmony, and how to effectively voice lead (don't worry it's not that scary). These resources will make sure that you understand this unit!

Unit 5: Harmony and Voice Leading II: Chord Progressions and Predominant Function

5.6 Cadential 6/4 Chords

5.3 Predominant Seventh Chords

5.5 Cadences and Predominant Function

5.7 Additional 6/4 chords

5.4 The iii (III) Chord

5.1 Adding Predominant Function IV (iv) and ii (ii0) to a Melodic Phrase

Unit 5 Overview: Harmony and Voice Leading II (Chord Progressions and Predominant Function)

5.2 The vi (VI) Chord

Want to learn about harmonies? Well, discover all about them in unit 6 of AP Music Theory! These resources cover more details about harmonies and voice leading, while also diving into melodic devices and choices, and the importance of motive and embellishment.

Unit 6 – Harmony and Voice Leading III (Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices)

6.6 Melodic Sequences

6.7 Harmonic Sequences 

6.2 Embellishing Tones: Writing Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones

Unit 6 Overview: Harmony and Voice Leading III (Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices)

6.4 Embellishing Tones: Identifying and Writing Suspensions; Identifying Retardations

6.1 Embellishing Tones: Identifying Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones

6.3 Embellishing Tones: Identifying Anticipations, Escape Tones, Appoggiaturas, and Pedal Points

6.5 Motive and Motivic Transformation

Take a look at these resources to help you understand unit 7 of AP Music Theory with these resources. We continue to cover harmonies and voice leading with harmonic dictations, secondary chords, tonicization, tone chords and writing tone chords. These resources will help you understand AP Music Theory!

Unit 7 – Harmony and Voice Leading IV (Secondary Function)

Harmony and Voice Leading IV: Secondary Function

7.4 Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords

7.2 Part Writing of Secondary Dominant Chords

7.1 Tonicization through Secondary Dominant Chords

7.3 Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords

Everything you need to know about unit 8 of AP Music Theory can be found using these resources. These resources cover modes and forms, along with phase relationships and their importance and common formal sections to make sure you understand unit 8 of AP Music Theory!

Unit 8 – Modes & Form

Unit 8 Overview: Modes and Form

8.2 Phrase Relationships 

8.1 Modes

8.3 Common Formal Sections

Frequently Asked Questions

9.0 Is AP Music Theory Hard? Is AP Music Theory Worth Taking?

What Are the Best Quizlet Decks for AP Music Theory?

9.0 What Memes Are Perfect for AP Music Theory?

How Can I Get a 5 in AP Music Theory?

9.0 How Do I Self-Study AP Music Theory?

What Are the Best AP Music Theory Textbooks and Prep Books?

Learn all about the AP Music Theory exam: MCQs with and without aural stimuli, and all the FRQs, including melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, figured bass, part-writing, harmonizing a melody, and sight singing. We review logistics, useful strategies, and helpful tips so you'll be attuned to all the little details on the exam!

Exam Skills

AP Music Theory Free Response Help - FRQ/LEQ

AP Music Theory Multiple Choice Help (MCQ)

Exam Reviews

Building 7th Chords

Overall Review: Units 1-4

Writing Seventh Chords in Inversion

Want to know something from the tiniest details to the entire format? We've got you covered! In these comprehensive Q&A sessions, we'll be sure to clarify anything you're confused on or need help with. We'll cover the topics you need us to review so that you can feel confident and prepared to conquer the AP Music Theory exam! 

Q & A sessions

AP Music Theory: Q&A Study Session

APMT Q&A Slide Deck

TA Led Q&A session

Study with these comprehensive reviews of the entire AP Music Theory course with helpful study guides and other useful resources are perfect from cramming, quick refreshers on the material, or detailed studying. You'll feel confident and prepared to ace the exam!

🎶AP Music Theory - Unit 1 – Music Fundamentals I (Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements)

Exam Date: May 12, 2023

Study Guides