AP Music Theory Unit 4 Cheatsheet: Harmony and Voice Leading I - Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase

Four Types of Motion

• Parallel: same direction, same interval
• Similar: same direction, different interval
• Oblique: one voice stationary
• Contrary: opposite directions

Outer-Voice Prohibitions

• No parallel fifths or octaves (unless immediately repeated)
• No direct fifths/octaves by similar motion unless soprano steps
• Leading tone in soprano/bass must resolve up by step
• Maintain SATB order; no voice crossing

Melodic Intervals (All Voices)

• Allowed: major/minor 2nd, 3rd; perfect 4th, 5th
• Avoid augmented melodic intervals and leaps larger than a P5, except octaves and ascending minor 6ths (normally followed by motion in the opposite direction).

Tonality (~1650–1900)

• Pitch organized around central tonic
• All pitches relate hierarchically

Three Functions

• Tonic (I, vi): stability
• Dominant (V, vii°): tension, pull to tonic
• Predominant (ii, IV, vi): bridge to dominant

Fundamental: I–V–I

Harmonic Rhythm

• Rate of chord change; can accelerate within phrase

Roman Numeral Analysis

• Chord succession with Arabic numerals for inversion
• All written notes must be accounted for

Avoid Retrogressions

• V → IV is not normative