AP Music Theory

There is a prerequisite of having been in a High School level ensemble (Chorus, Band, Orchestra) OR our Music Theory class

-Students should be familiar with music basics (reading music, basic notation, basic music knowledge)

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

You’ll learn how pitch and rhythm work together to become melody and meter and build musical compositions.

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

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.

Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III: Triads and Seventh Chords

You’ll build on your understanding of pitch relationships and begin learning the fundamentals of harmony.

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

You’ll expand your knowledge of harmonic materials and processes and explore the procedures of 18th-century style voice leading.

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

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.

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

You’ll continue to explore the skills and concepts of harmony and voice leading.

Unit 7: Harmony and Voice Leading IV: Secondary Function

You’ll build on what you’ve learned about harmonic relationships and procedures and deepen your understanding of keys, scale degrees, and chords.

Unit 8: Modes and Form

You’ll study the use of conventions that affect the character of music such as modes, phrase relationships, and forms.