🎶AP Music Theory Review

AP Music Theory covers 8 units, from Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements to Modes and Form. Review each unit with study guides, practice questions, and key terms — compiled by AP educators and updated for the 2027 AP exam.

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AP Music Theory Exam →

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ)

FRQs 1-2 – Melodic Dictation

FRQs 3-4 – Harmonic Dictation

FRQs 5-7 – Part Writing + Harmonization

Sight Singing

Unit 1 – Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements →

1.1

Pitch and Pitch Notation

1.2

Rhythmic Values

1.3

Half Steps and Whole Steps

1.4

Major Scales and Scale Degrees

1.5

Major Keys and Key Signatures

1.6

Simple and Compound Beat Division

1.7

Meter and Time Signature

1.8

Rhythmic Patterns

1.9

Tempo

1.10

Dynamics and Articulation

Unit 2 – Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture →

2.1

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

2.2

Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures

2.3

Key Relationships: Parallel, Closely Related, and Distantly Related Keys

2.4

Other Scales: Chromatic, Whole-Tone, and Pentatonic

2.5

Interval Size and Quality

2.6

Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals

2.7

Transposing Instruments

2.8

Timbre

2.9

Melodic Features

2.10

Melodic Transposition

2.11

Texture and Texture Types

2.12

Texture Devices

2.13

Rhythmic Devices

Unit 3 – Triads and Seventh Chords →

3.1

Triad and Chord Qualities (M, m, d, A)

3.2

Diatonic Chords and Roman Numerals

3.3

Chord Inversions and Figures: Introduction to Figured Bass

3.4

Seventh Chords

3.5

Seventh Chord Inversions and Figures

Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase →

4.1

Harmony and Voice Leading I

4.2

SATB Voice Leading

4.3

Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences

4.4

Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

4.5

Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions

Unit 5 – Chord Progressions and Predominant Function →

5.1

Adding Predominant Function IV (iv) and ii (ii0) to a Melodic Phrase

5.2

The vi (VI) Chord

5.3

Predominant Seventh Chords

5.4

The iii (III) Chord

5.5

Cadences and Predominant Function

5.6

Cadential 6/4 Chords

5.7

Additional 6/4 chords

Unit 6 – Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices →

6.1

Embellishing Tones: Identifying Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones

6.2

Embellishing Tones: Writing Passing Tones and Neighbor Tones

6.3

Embellishing Tones: Identifying Anticipations, Escape Tones, Appoggiaturas, and Pedal Points

6.4

Embellishing Tones: Identifying and Writing Suspensions; Identifying Retardations

6.5

Motive and Motivic Transformation

6.6

Melodic Sequences

6.7

Harmonic Sequences

Unit 7 – Secondary Function →

7.1

Tonicization through Secondary Dominant Chords

7.2

Part Writing of Secondary Dominant Chords

7.3

Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords

7.4

Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords

Unit 8 – Modes and Form →

8.1

Modes

8.2

Phrase Relationships

8.3

Common Formal Sections

AP Music Theory teaches you to read, write, hear, and analyze tonal music, moving from pitch, scales, and rhythm through harmony, voice leading, secondary function, and musical form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AP Music Theory hard?

AP Music Theory is moderately challenging because the 8 units build on each other quickly, and you have to read, write, hear, and analyze music at the same time. Ear training, dictation, and sight-singing catch people off guard. If you keep up with Units 1 through 3 fundamentals and practice listening daily, the workload stays very manageable.

How do I start studying for AP Music Theory?

Start by locking in fundamentals from Units 1 through 3: pitch notation, major and minor scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. Then add short daily ear training, like interval recognition and melodic dictation. Once those feel solid, move into four-part voice leading. Use Fiveable unit guides and practice questions to find gaps and stay on pace through the year.

Which AP Music Theory units carry the most weight?

Every exam covers all four big ideas: pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design, and questions draw from all 8 units. Units 4 through 7 on harmony and voice leading drive most part-writing and harmonic analysis, while Units 1 through 3 fundamentals underpin everything. Unit 8 on modes and form shows up in analysis. Build strength across the whole sequence rather than skipping any unit.

How many FRQs are on the AP Music Theory exam?

Section II includes 7 free-response questions plus 2 sight-singing tasks. The 7 FRQs are two melodic dictation, two harmonic dictation, one part-writing from figured bass, one part-writing from Roman numerals, and one melody harmonization. The sight-singing tasks are recorded. Together Section II is worth 45 percent, with sight-singing counting for 10 percent of your total score.

How do I get better at ear training for AP Music Theory?

Treat ear training like a daily workout, not a cram task. Spend 10 to 15 minutes a day on interval recognition, then move into melodic and harmonic dictation that match the exam format. Sing intervals and scale degrees out loud so sight-singing feels natural. Practice spotting cadences and chord functions by ear so the aural multiple-choice section becomes easier.

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