AP Music Theory
Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
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Learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music. You’ll develop skills by listening to, reading, writing, and performing a wide variety of music.
Identifying features of pitch, interval, scales and keys, chords, meter, rhythm, and other musical concepts in performed and notated music
Singing a notated melody on sight
Notating music that you hear
Completing music based on cues, following common-practice style
A one- or two-semester college introductory music theory course
Ability to read and write musical notation and basic voice or instrument performance skills
Fri, May 12, 2023,
8 AM Local
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Music Theory Exam.
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
You’ll learn how pitch and rhythm work together to become melody and meter and build musical compositions.
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You’ll build on what you learned in Unit 1 about pitch patterns and relationships in major scales, and apply that knowledge to minor scales.
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You’ll build on your understanding of pitch relationships and begin learning the fundamentals of harmony.
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You’ll expand your knowledge of harmonic materials and processes and explore the procedures of 18th-century style voice leading.
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You’ll learn to describe, analyze, and create more complex harmonic progressions in the form of four-part (SATB: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) voice leading.
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You’ll continue to explore the skills and concepts of harmony and voice leading.
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You’ll build on what you’ve learned about harmonic relationships and procedures and deepen your understanding of keys, scale degrees, and chords.
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You’ll study the use of conventions that affect the character of music such as modes, phrase relationships, and forms.
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AP Music Theory Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
AP Music Theory can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors