--- title: "Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase - AP Music Theory" description: "Review Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase for AP Music Theory with Fiveable study guides and practice resources." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4" type: "unit" subject: "AP Music Theory" unit: "Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase" --- # Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase - AP Music Theory ## Overview Review Unit 4 – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase for AP Music Theory with Fiveable study guides and practice resources. ## Study Guides - [4.1 Harmony and Voice Leading I](/ap-music-theory/unit-4/harmony-voice-leading-i/study-guide/0m8OiGeqjebWSd6bMZ0W) - [4.4 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords](/ap-music-theory/unit-4/voice-leading-with-seventh-chords/study-guide/XpRYmaLewSzb1mJjUNZX) - [4.2 SATB Voice Leading](/ap-music-theory/unit-4/satb-voice-leading/study-guide/c71tSuvM22gVBJGNiw1V) - [4.5 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions](/ap-music-theory/unit-4/voice-leading-with-seventh-chords-inversions/study-guide/dIhXWfvKiWKh2bRfTjyE) - [4.3 Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences](/ap-music-theory/unit-4/harmonic-progression-functional-harmony-cadences/study-guide/rGZpzBCL9qJX7z2WFbGx) ## FAQs ### What topics are covered in AP Music Unit 4? AP Music Theory Unit 4 covers 5 topics built around voice leading and harmonic function: 4.1 Soprano-Bass Counterpoint, 4.2 SATB Voice Leading, 4.3 Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences, 4.4 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords, and 4.5 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions. Together they explain how chords move and function in tonal music from roughly 1650 to 1900. See the full unit at [/ap-music-theory/unit-4](/ap-music-theory/unit-4). ### What's on the AP Music Unit 4 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)? The AP Music Theory Unit 4 progress check tests voice leading and harmonic progression skills through both MCQ and FRQ parts. The MCQ section asks you to identify cadence types, analyze chord function (tonic, dominant, predominant), and spot voice leading errors in SATB writing. The FRQ section typically asks you to complete or correct a short SATB passage, resolve seventh chords properly, and label harmonic progressions. Every topic from 4.1 through 4.5 is fair game, so make sure you're solid on soprano-bass counterpoint, functional harmony, and seventh chords in inversions before you sit down for it. Practice questions matched to each topic are at [/ap-music-theory/unit-4](/ap-music-theory/unit-4). ### How do I practice AP Music Unit 4 FRQs? AP Music Theory Unit 4 FRQs focus on voice leading tasks: writing or completing SATB passages, resolving seventh chords correctly, and labeling cadences within a harmonic progression. To practice, work through short four-part writing exercises that target each topic, then check your work against the standard voice leading rules (no parallel fifths or octaves, proper chord resolution). Start with Topics 4.2 and 4.3 since SATB voice leading and cadence identification show up most often in free-response questions. Once those feel solid, move to seventh chords (Topics 4.4 and 4.5), which add the extra step of resolving the chordal seventh down by step. Find topic-matched practice at [/ap-music-theory/unit-4](/ap-music-theory/unit-4). ### Where can I find AP Music Unit 4 practice questions? The best place to find AP Music Theory Unit 4 practice questions, including multiple-choice and FRQ-style tasks, is [/ap-music-theory/unit-4](/ap-music-theory/unit-4). That page organizes practice by topic so you can target voice leading, harmonic progression, cadence identification, and seventh chords separately before taking a full unit practice test. For MCQ prep, look for questions that ask you to identify errors in SATB writing or choose the correct chord resolution. For a practice test feel, work through all five topics in one sitting and time yourself on the four-part writing tasks. ### How should I study AP Music Unit 4? Studying AP Music Theory Unit 4 well means building your voice leading skills in layers, starting with the rules before adding complexity. Here's a concrete plan: 1. **Start with soprano-bass counterpoint (Topic 4.1).** Get comfortable writing two-voice frameworks before adding inner voices. 2. **Learn SATB voice leading rules (Topic 4.2).** Drill the big errors to avoid: parallel fifths, parallel octaves, and voice crossing. 3. **Study harmonic progression and cadences (Topic 4.3).** Know how tonic, dominant, and predominant chords function, and be able to identify authentic, half, plagal, and deceptive cadences by ear and on paper. 4. **Add seventh chords (Topics 4.4 and 4.5).** Practice resolving the chordal seventh down by step in root position and all inversions. Review one topic at a time, write short four-part examples for each, and check them against voice leading rules. Consistent short practice sessions beat cramming every time. All five topics are at [/ap-music-theory/unit-4](/ap-music-theory/unit-4). ## Structured Data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","inLanguage":"en","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4#what-topics-are-covered-in-ap-music-unit-4","name":"What topics are covered in AP Music Unit 4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP Music Theory Unit 4 covers 5 topics built around voice leading and harmonic function: 4.1 Soprano-Bass Counterpoint, 4.2 SATB Voice Leading, 4.3 Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences, 4.4 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords, and 4.5 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions. Together they explain how chords move and function in tonal music from roughly 1650 to 1900. See the full unit at /ap-music-theory/unit-4."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4#whats-on-the-ap-music-unit-4-progress-check-mcq-and-frq","name":"What's on the AP Music Unit 4 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The AP Music Theory Unit 4 progress check tests voice leading and harmonic progression skills through both MCQ and FRQ parts. The MCQ section asks you to identify cadence types, analyze chord function (tonic, dominant, predominant), and spot voice leading errors in SATB writing. The FRQ section typically asks you to complete or correct a short SATB passage, resolve seventh chords properly, and label harmonic progressions. Every topic from 4.1 through 4.5 is fair game, so make sure you're solid on soprano-bass counterpoint, functional harmony, and seventh chords in inversions before you sit down for it. Practice questions matched to each topic are at /ap-music-theory/unit-4."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4#how-do-i-practice-ap-music-unit-4-frqs","name":"How do I practice AP Music Unit 4 FRQs?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP Music Theory Unit 4 FRQs focus on voice leading tasks: writing or completing SATB passages, resolving seventh chords correctly, and labeling cadences within a harmonic progression. To practice, work through short four-part writing exercises that target each topic, then check your work against the standard voice leading rules (no parallel fifths or octaves, proper chord resolution). Start with Topics 4.2 and 4.3 since SATB voice leading and cadence identification show up most often in free-response questions. Once those feel solid, move to seventh chords (Topics 4.4 and 4.5), which add the extra step of resolving the chordal seventh down by step. Find topic-matched practice at /ap-music-theory/unit-4."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4#where-can-i-find-ap-music-unit-4-practice-questions","name":"Where can I find AP Music Unit 4 practice questions?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The best place to find AP Music Theory Unit 4 practice questions, including multiple-choice and FRQ-style tasks, is /ap-music-theory/unit-4. That page organizes practice by topic so you can target voice leading, harmonic progression, cadence identification, and seventh chords separately before taking a full unit practice test. For MCQ prep, look for questions that ask you to identify errors in SATB writing or choose the correct chord resolution. For a practice test feel, work through all five topics in one sitting and time yourself on the four-part writing tasks."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-4#how-should-i-study-ap-music-unit-4","name":"How should I study AP Music Unit 4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Studying AP Music Theory Unit 4 well means building your voice leading skills in layers, starting with the rules before adding complexity. Here's a concrete plan: 1. **Start with soprano-bass counterpoint (Topic 4.1).** Get comfortable writing two-voice frameworks before adding inner voices.\n2. **Learn SATB voice leading rules (Topic 4.2).** Drill the big errors to avoid: parallel fifths, parallel octaves, and voice crossing.\n3. **Study harmonic progression and cadences (Topic 4.3).** Know how tonic, dominant, and predominant chords function, and be able to identify authentic, half, plagal, and deceptive cadences by ear and on paper.\n4. **Add seventh chords (Topics 4.4 and 4.5).** Practice resolving the chordal seventh down by step in root position and all inversions. Review one topic at a time, write short four-part examples for each, and check them against voice leading rules. Consistent short practice sessions beat cramming every time. All five topics are at /ap-music-theory/unit-4."}}]} ```