AP Music Theory
This course examines the fundamental building blocks of music theory. Students who successfully complete this course will have a solid foundation in music theory language that includes notation, major and minor scales, intervals, triads, inversions, voicing, part writing, and basic aural and dictation skills. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Students must complete an equivalent of an APMUSIC Theory semester 1 before taking UC SCOUT's AP Music Theory Semester II.
Basic and On Demand are always open for registration.
Plus courses are created upon request.
SEMESTER 1
Unit 1: What is Music Theory
- What is Music Theory?
- Pitch Notation System
- Rhythmic Notation Elements
- Rhythmic Notation System
- Simple and Compound Meter
Unit 2: Scales
- Half and Whole Steps
- Accidentals and Chromaticism
- Chromatic Scales
- Major Scales
- Major Key Signatures
- Circle of Fifths
- Major Scale Degrees
- Fixed 'Do'
- Movable 'Do'
- Natural Minor
- Harmonic Minor
- Melodic Minor
- Parallel and Relative Minor
- Minor Key Signatures
- Minor Scale Degrees
Unit 3: Intervals and Chords
- Major and Perfect Intervals
- Altered Intervals
- Issues with Intervals
Unit 4: Diatonic Chords
- Major Triads
- Minor Triads
- Diminished Triads
- Augmented Triads
- Four Part Voicing
- Part Writing
- First Inversion Triads
- Second Inversion Triads
SEMESTER 2
Unit 5: Modes
- Modes
Unit 6: 7th Chords
- Introduction to 7th Chords
- 7th Chord Inversions
Unit 7: Roman Numeral Analysis and Voice Leading
- Roman Numeral Analysis in Major Keys
- Roman Numeral Analysis in Minor Keys
- Roman Numeral Analysis and Figured Bass
- Secondary Dominants
- Modulation
- Non-Harmonic Tones
- Augmented 6th Chords
- Chord Progressions and Cadences
Unit 8: Composition
- Musical Structure
- Musical Form
- Composition and Score Analysis
- Instrumental Writing and Transposition