Remember those rules of part-writing we need to follow? Introducing seventh chords into the harmonic mix requires us to follow three main rules:

➡️ Chordal sevenths should be approached by common tone OR by step
When the voice-leading context doesn’t allow this, chordal sevenths may be approached by ascending leap or, rarely, by a descending leap of a 3rd.

➡️ All chordal sevenths should resolve by a descending step, to avoid an unresolved seventh. The chordal seventh in a V-4/3 chord may move up by a step when appearing in a I-(V-4/3)-I6 progression. In some cases, the chordal seventh may stay in the same voice before resolving down by a step.

➡️ The fifth of a root-position dominant seventh chord may be omitted if it helps the voice leading. When the fifth is taken out in a root position 7th chord, the root should be doubled. All inverted 7th chords, however, must be spelled completely in writing the chord.

🦜 Polly wants a progress tracker: how do you resolve a seventh chord?  

Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

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AP Music Theory Exam Prep 2021-22 | Reviews + Free Study Help | Fiveable

AP Music Theory

Learn the fundamentals of music in unit 1 of the AP Music Theory course. Explore the basics of pitch, rhythm, and music notation; major scales, key signatures and scale degrees; and simple and compound time signatures. By learning these fundamental music skills, you will set yourself up for a successful year of music theory study! 

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

Cover minor scales, key signatures, and scale degrees; melodic, whole tone, and pentatonic scales; interval size, quality, and inversions; melodic features and transposition; and texture and rhythmic devices. You will advance your music fundamentals with these AP Music Theory Unit 2 resources!

Unit 2: Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture

Get a better understanding of unit 3 of AP Music Theory. This unit focuses on chords: triads and their qualities, diatonic chords and roman numerals notation, seventh chords, chord inversions, and figured bass. In this last part of music fundamentals, you will have all the tools in your music theory toolbox to ace the AP Music Theory exam! 

Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III: Triads and Seventh Chords

Explore unit 4 of AP Music Theory with these resources. Learn how the building blocks of music work together to form harmonic progressions, functional harmonies, and cadences. This unit also covers SATB voice leading rules with triads, seventh chords, and inversions. This is all you need to ace the part-writing portion of the AP Music Theory exam!

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

Check out these resources for unit 5 of AP Music Theory. We cover chord progressions, with examples and explanations, along with the process of harmony, and how to effectively voice lead (don't worry it's not that scary). These resources will make sure that you understand this unit!

Unit 5: Harmony and Voice Leading II: Chord Progressions and Predominant Function

Want to learn about harmonies? Well, discover all about them in unit 6 of AP Music Theory! These resources cover more details about harmonies and voice leading, while also diving into melodic devices and choices, and the importance of motive and embellishment.

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

Take a look at these resources to help you understand unit 7 of AP Music Theory with these resources. We continue to cover harmonies and voice leading with harmonic dictations, secondary chords, tonicization, tone chords and writing tone chords. These resources will help you understand AP Music Theory!

Unit 7: Harmony and Voice Leading IV: Secondary Function

Everything you need to know about unit 8 of AP Music Theory can be found using these resources. These resources cover modes and forms, along with phase relationships and their importance and common formal sections to make sure you understand unit 8 of AP Music Theory!

Unit 8: Modes and Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn all about the AP Music Theory exam: MCQs with and without aural stimuli, and all the FRQs, including melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, figured bass, part-writing, harmonizing a melody, and sight singing. We review logistics, useful strategies, and helpful tips so you'll be attuned to all the little details on the exam!

Exam Skills

Exam Reviews

Want to know something from the tiniest details to the entire format? We've got you covered! In these comprehensive Q&A sessions, we'll be sure to clarify anything you're confused on or need help with. We'll cover the topics you need us to review so that you can feel confident and prepared to conquer the AP Music Theory exam! 

Q & A sessions

Study with these comprehensive reviews of the entire AP Music Theory course with helpful study guides and other useful resources are perfect from cramming, quick refreshers on the material, or detailed studying. You'll feel confident and prepared to ace the exam!

Big Reviews: Finals & Exam Prep

AP Cram Sessions 2021

First Unit

Your guide to the 2021 AP Music Theory exam

Format of the 2021 AP Music Theory exam

When is the 2021 AP Music Theory exam and how do I take it?

How should I prepare for the exam?

Pre-work: set up your study environment

AP Music Theory 2021 Study Plan

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

🎶 Unit 2: Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture

🎻 Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III: Triads and Seventh Chords

🎹 Unit 4: Harmony and Voice Leading I: Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase

🎸 Unit 5: Harmony and Voice Leading ii: Chord Progressions and Predominant Function

🎺 Unit 6: Harmony and Voice Leading iii: Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices

🎤 Unit 7: Harmony and Voice Leading iv: Secondary Function

🎷 Unit 8: Modes and Form

2021 AP Music Theory Exam Guide

Overview of the FRQ Section

Melodic Dictation

Harmonic Dictations

Figured Bass

Part-Writing

Harmonizing a Melody

Sight Singing!

Conclusion

AP Music Theory Free Response Help - FRQ/LEQ

Part 1: Questions with Aural Stimuli

Tips Specifically for Aural-Stimuli

Part 2: Questions without Aural-Stimuli

How to Ace the AP Music Theory Multiple Choice

AP Music Theory Multiple Choice Help (MCQ)

Unit 1: Music Fundamentals: Pitch, Major Scales, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements

1.1: Pitch and Pitch Notation 🎼

Pitch and Pitch Notation 🎼

1.10: Dynamics and Articulation

Dynamics and Articulation

1.2: Rhythmic Values

Rhythmic Values

1.3: Half Rests and Whole Rests

Half Rests and Whole Rests

1.4: Major Scales and Scale Degrees

Major Scales and Scale Degrees

1.5: Major Keys and Key Signatures

Major Keys and Key Signatures

1.6: Simple and Compound Beat Division

Simple and Compound Beat Division

1.7: Meter and Time Signature

Meter and Time Signature

1.8: Rhythmic Patterns

Rhythmic Patterns

1.9: Tempo

Tempo

Unit 2: Music Fundamentals II (Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture)

2.1: Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

2.10: Melodic Transposition

Melodic Transposition

2.11: Texture and Texture Types

Texture and Texture Types

2.12: Texture Devices

Texture Devices

2.13: Rhythmic Devices

Meter Types

Rhythmic Devices

2.2: Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures

Relative Keys: Determining Relative Minor Key and Notating Key Signatures

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

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

2.4 Other Scales: Chromatic, Whole-Tone, and Pentatonic

Other Scales: Chromatic, Whole-Tone, and Pentatonic

2.5: Interval Size and Quality

Interval Size and Quality

2.6: Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals 

Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals

2.7: Transposing Instruments

Transposing Instruments

2.8: Timbre

Timbre

2.9: Melodic Features

Melodic Features

Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III (Triads and Seventh Chords)

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

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

3.2: Diatonic Chords and Roman Numerals

Diatonic Chords and Roman Numerals

3.3: Chord Inversions and Figures: Introduction to Figured Bass

Chord Inversions and Figures: Introduction to Figured Bass

3.4: Seventh Chords

Seventh Chords

3.5: Seventh Chord Inversions and Figures

Seventh Chord Inversions and Figures

4.1: Soprano-Bass Counterpoint

Harmony and Voice Leading I

4.2: SATB Voice Leading 

SATB Voice Leading

4.3: Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences 

Harmonic Progression, Functional Harmony, and Cadences

4.4: Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

4.5: Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions

Voice Leading with Seventh Chords in Inversions

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

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

5.3: Predominant Seventh Chords

Predominant Seventh Chords

5.4: The iii (III) Chord

The iii (III) Chord

5.5: Cadences and Predominant Function

Cadences and Predominant Function

5.6: Cadential 6/4 Chords

Key Concepts to write a cadential 6/4:

Cadential 6/4 Chords

5.7: Additional 6/4 Chords 

Additional 6/4 chords

Unit 7, Harmony and Voice Leading IV: 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 

Harmony and Voice Leading IV: Secondary Function

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4.4 Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

AP Music Theory 🎶

4.4: Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

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