--- title: "Unit 7 – Secondary Function - AP Music Theory" description: "Review Unit 7 – Secondary Function for AP Music Theory with Fiveable study guides and practice resources." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7" type: "unit" subject: "AP Music Theory" unit: "Unit 7 – Secondary Function" --- # Unit 7 – Secondary Function - AP Music Theory ## Overview Review Unit 7 – Secondary Function for AP Music Theory with Fiveable study guides and practice resources. ## Study Guides - [7.4 Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords](/ap-music-theory/unit-7/part-writing-secondary-leading-tone-chords/study-guide/O6JJhIjRs0qB7IZEgQ0t) - [7.2 Part Writing of Secondary Dominant Chords](/ap-music-theory/unit-7/part-writing-secondary-dominant-chords/study-guide/S2WJUDMF6J2GBqPvLiGg) - [7.1 Tonicization through Secondary Dominant Chords](/ap-music-theory/unit-7/tonicization-through-secondary-dominant-chords/study-guide/rLCBduMA9EmMPYSSNiwd) - [7.3 Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords](/ap-music-theory/unit-7/tonicization-through-secondary-leading-tone-chords/study-guide/xfW8Oy4Pc8f8cmlLVukh) ## FAQs ### What topics are covered in AP Music Unit 7? AP Music Theory Unit 7 covers secondary dominant chords and secondary leading-tone chords, with a focus on tonicization. The 4 topics are: 7.1 Tonicization through Secondary Dominant Chords, 7.2 Part Writing of Secondary Dominant Chords, 7.3 Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords, and 7.4 Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords. The big idea is that non-tonic chords can temporarily sound like a tonic through tonicization, without actually changing the key. Both secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords (diminished triads and diminished seventh chords) create that effect. See [AP Music Theory Unit 7](/ap-music-theory/unit-7) for practice materials matched to each topic. ### What's on the AP Music Theory Unit 7 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)? The AP Music Theory Unit 7 progress check pulls questions from all four topics: secondary dominant chords, part writing of secondary dominants, secondary leading-tone chords, and part writing of secondary leading-tone chords. The MCQ portion tests your ability to identify tonicization and label secondary function chords in context. The FRQ portion typically asks you to realize or correct part writing that involves secondary dominants or secondary leading-tone chords. Practicing the progress check by topic is the most efficient approach. You can find practice questions matched to each Unit 7 topic at [AP Music Theory Unit 7](/ap-music-theory/unit-7). ### How do I practice AP Music Theory Unit 7 FRQs? AP Music Theory Unit 7 FRQs focus on part writing secondary dominant chords and secondary leading-tone chords, so the best practice is writing out four-voice progressions that include a secondary dominant resolving to its temporary tonic. Topics 7.2 and 7.4 generate the most FRQ-style tasks: you'll be asked to realize a figured bass or correct voice-leading errors in a passage that uses tonicization. To build fluency, work through progressions that move from a secondary dominant (like V7/V) to its target chord, checking for proper resolution of the leading tone and seventh. Then try the same with diminished seventh chords from Topic 7.4. Practice sets are available at [AP Music Theory Unit 7](/ap-music-theory/unit-7). ### Where can I find AP Music Theory Unit 7 practice questions? AP Music Theory Unit 7 practice questions, including multiple-choice and FRQ-style tasks on secondary dominants and tonicization, are available at [AP Music Theory Unit 7](/ap-music-theory/unit-7). That page organizes practice by topic so you can target MCQs on chord identification or part-writing tasks from Topics 7.2 and 7.4 specifically. For a practice-test experience, work through questions from all four topics in one sitting: identification of secondary dominant chords, part writing, secondary leading-tone chords, and their voice-leading rules. That mirrors how the progress check and exam combine these skills. ### How should I study AP Music Theory Unit 7? Start with tonicization as the core concept: a secondary dominant chord makes a non-tonic chord temporarily feel like a tonic, and that idea connects all four Unit 7 topics. Once that clicks, the part-writing rules for secondary dominants (Topic 7.2) and secondary leading-tone chords (Topic 7.4) will feel logical rather than arbitrary. A solid study sequence looks like this: 1. Learn to identify and label secondary dominant chords (V/V, V7/IV, etc.) by ear and on paper. 2. Practice resolving them correctly in four voices, paying close attention to the leading tone and chordal seventh. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for secondary leading-tone chords, including diminished seventh chords. 4. Do timed part-writing drills that mix both chord types so you can switch between them quickly on the exam. Visit [AP Music Theory Unit 7](/ap-music-theory/unit-7) for topic-by-topic practice to check your progress at each step. ## Structured Data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","inLanguage":"en","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7#what-topics-are-covered-in-ap-music-unit-7","name":"What topics are covered in AP Music Unit 7?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP Music Theory Unit 7 covers secondary dominant chords and secondary leading-tone chords, with a focus on tonicization. The 4 topics are: 7.1 Tonicization through Secondary Dominant Chords, 7.2 Part Writing of Secondary Dominant Chords, 7.3 Tonicization through Secondary Leading Tone Chords, and 7.4 Part Writing of Secondary Leading Tone Chords. The big idea is that non-tonic chords can temporarily sound like a tonic through tonicization, without actually changing the key. Both secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords (diminished triads and diminished seventh chords) create that effect. See AP Music Theory Unit 7 for practice materials matched to each topic."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7#whats-on-the-ap-music-theory-unit-7-progress-check-mcq-and-frq","name":"What's on the AP Music Theory Unit 7 progress check (MCQ and FRQ)?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The AP Music Theory Unit 7 progress check pulls questions from all four topics: secondary dominant chords, part writing of secondary dominants, secondary leading-tone chords, and part writing of secondary leading-tone chords. The MCQ portion tests your ability to identify tonicization and label secondary function chords in context. The FRQ portion typically asks you to realize or correct part writing that involves secondary dominants or secondary leading-tone chords. Practicing the progress check by topic is the most efficient approach. You can find practice questions matched to each Unit 7 topic at AP Music Theory Unit 7."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7#how-do-i-practice-ap-music-theory-unit-7-frqs","name":"How do I practice AP Music Theory Unit 7 FRQs?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP Music Theory Unit 7 FRQs focus on part writing secondary dominant chords and secondary leading-tone chords, so the best practice is writing out four-voice progressions that include a secondary dominant resolving to its temporary tonic. Topics 7.2 and 7.4 generate the most FRQ-style tasks: you'll be asked to realize a figured bass or correct voice-leading errors in a passage that uses tonicization. To build fluency, work through progressions that move from a secondary dominant (like V7/V) to its target chord, checking for proper resolution of the leading tone and seventh. Then try the same with diminished seventh chords from Topic 7.4. Practice sets are available at AP Music Theory Unit 7."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7#where-can-i-find-ap-music-theory-unit-7-practice-questions","name":"Where can I find AP Music Theory Unit 7 practice questions?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP Music Theory Unit 7 practice questions, including multiple-choice and FRQ-style tasks on secondary dominants and tonicization, are available at AP Music Theory Unit 7. That page organizes practice by topic so you can target MCQs on chord identification or part-writing tasks from Topics 7.2 and 7.4 specifically. For a practice-test experience, work through questions from all four topics in one sitting: identification of secondary dominant chords, part writing, secondary leading-tone chords, and their voice-leading rules. That mirrors how the progress check and exam combine these skills."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-music-theory/unit-7#how-should-i-study-ap-music-theory-unit-7","name":"How should I study AP Music Theory Unit 7?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Start with tonicization as the core concept: a secondary dominant chord makes a non-tonic chord temporarily feel like a tonic, and that idea connects all four Unit 7 topics. Once that clicks, the part-writing rules for secondary dominants (Topic 7.2) and secondary leading-tone chords (Topic 7.4) will feel logical rather than arbitrary. A solid study sequence looks like this: 1. Learn to identify and label secondary dominant chords (V/V, V7/IV, etc.) by ear and on paper.\n2. Practice resolving them correctly in four voices, paying close attention to the leading tone and chordal seventh.\n3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for secondary leading-tone chords, including diminished seventh chords.\n4. Do timed part-writing drills that mix both chord types so you can switch between them quickly on the exam. Visit AP Music Theory Unit 7 for topic-by-topic practice to check your progress at each step."}}]} ```