Course Description:
The AP Music Theory course corresponds to one-to-two semesters of typical, introductory college music theory and aural skills coursework. Students learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. Course content extends from the fundamentals of pitch, rhythm, timbre, and expression to concepts of harmonic function, phrase relationships, and tonicization. Students study these concepts in heard and notated music, with emphasis on identification and analysis of musical features, relationships, and procedures in full musical contexts.
Repertoire for analysis on the AP Music Theory Exam ranges from European Baroque pieces to folk and popular music from across the globe. Students develop musicianship skills through melodic and harmonic dictation, sight singing, and error detection exercises. Writing exercises further emphasize the foundational harmonic and voice leading procedures of Western art music. Because college curricula vary for beginning music theory courses, the college-level course equivalency of AP Music Theory will vary from one institution to the next.
Prerequisite:
There are no prerequisite courses for AP Music Theory. Prospective students should be able to read and write musical notation and have basic performance skills with voice or an instrument
Relevant Careers:
Relevant careers include:
- Composer
- Musician
- Therapist