AP Music Theory

The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course. 

Semester 1

Fundamentals of Music: 

• Discuss/review procedures for sight reading. 
• Begin learning note names in four clefs and rhythm note and rest values. 
• Learn time signatures in simple and compound meter. 
• Sight reading factory level 1(melody and rhythm.) 

Unit 1: Intervals, Scales, Tonality, Key, Modes, Chords, Cadences, Harmonic Progressions 

• Sight reading factory level 2 and 3 (melody and rhythm). 
• Writing major scales and major key signatures. 
• Discuss scale degree names and purposes. 
• Identify and write minor key signatures and minor scales. 
• Identifying and writing major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished intervals. 
• Discuss consonant and dissonant intervals. 
• Learn inversions of intervals (identifying and writing). 
• Building triads in root position from scale degree. 
• Building seventh chords in root position from scale degrees. 
• Discuss the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords. 
• Identify and write major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads. 
• Building seventh chords in root position. 

Unit 2: Textures, Melodic Organization, Voice Leading 

• Sight reading factory level 2 and 3 (melody and rhythm). 
• Analyzing chords in inversions in a major or minor key signature. 
• Building triads and seventh chords in inversions in major and minor key signatures. 
• Review the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords.
• Discuss and use triad and seventh chord part-writing rules. 
• Discuss chord progressions and cadences. 
• Discuss non-chord tones and sequences. 

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Semester 2

Unit 3: Seventh Chords, Modulation, and Form 

• Sight reading factory level 3 and 4 (melody and rhythm). 
• Analyzing chords in inversions in a major or minor key signature. 
• Building triads and seventh chords in inversions in major and minor key signatures. 
• Review the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords. 
• Discuss and use triad and seventh chord part-writing rules. 
• Discuss chord progressions and cadences. 
• Discuss non-chord tones and sequences. 

Unit 4: Preparation for the AP Exam 

• Use test methods to prepare students for the AP exam. 
• Sight reading factory level 3 and 4 (melody and rhythm). 
• Analyzing chords in inversions in a major or minor key signature. 
• Building triads and seventh chords in inversions in major and minor key signatures. 
• Review the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords. 
• Discuss and use triad and seventh chord part-writing rules. 
• Discuss chord progressions and cadences. 
• Discuss non-chord tones and sequences. 

Essential Questions for Each Semester 

• How can I obtain and improve my sight reading skills? 
• How do I dictate music excerpts accurately? 
• How do I read and write music? 
• How do I prepare for the AP exam effectively? 
• What resources are available to help me solidify my understanding of the musical concepts?