About AP Music Theory

The AP Music Theory course corresponds to one-to-two semesters of typical, introductory college music theory coursework that covers topics such as musicianship, theory, and musical materials and procedures. Musicianship skills, including dictation and listening skills, sightsinging, and harmony, are an important part of the course.

Through the course, students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of tonal music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural (listening) skills is a primary objective. Performance is also part of the curriculum through the practice of sight-singing. Students learn basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. Notational skills, speed, and fluency with basic materials are emphasized.

Skills You'll Learn

• 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