AP Music Theory Cheatsheets

AP Music Theory, unit by unit

What each unit's one-page cheatsheet covers. Open a unit to read the start of its sheet.

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

   Pitch Notation & Clefs · Half Steps & Whole Steps · Major Scales & Scale Degrees · Major Keys & Key Signatures · Rhythmic Values & Duration · Simple vs. Compound Meter · Time Signatures Decoded · Rhythmic Patterns & Notation · Tempo & Expressive Markings · Dynamics & Articulation

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

   Voice Motion & Outer-Voice Rules · Harmonic Function & Progressions · Chord Spelling & Doubling · SATB & First Inversion · Seventh Chords: Approach & Resolution · Bass Line Composition · Cadences & Phrase Structure

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

   Nonharmonic Tones: Core Concept · Writing Bass Lines with Embellishments · Figured Bass & Roman Numeral Notation · Passing Tones & Neighbor Tones · Anticipation, Escape Tone, Appoggiatura, Pedal Point · Motive & Motivic Transformation · Suspension & Retardation · Melodic & Harmonic Sequence · Identification Strategy: Performed & Notated Music

4. Unit 7: Harmony and Voice Leading IV - Secondary Function

   Tonicization: Core Concept · Secondary Leading-Tone Chords (vii°/x) · Secondary Leading-Tone Chords: Mode Restrictions · Secondary Dominant Chords (V/x) · Identifying Secondary Functions in Analysis · Test-Taking Strategy · Part Writing Secondary Dominants · Part Writing Secondary Leading-Tone Chords · Common Confusions & Distinctions

5. Unit 8: Modes and Form

   The Seven Modes · Analyzing Phrase Relationships · Modes, Phrases & Form: Study Checklist · Phrase Relationships & Notation · Identifying Modes in Context · Common Formal Sections · Periods: Antecedent & Consequent · Recognizing Periods in Music · Identifying Sections in Scores & Recordings