If you’re planning to take the AP Music Theory test, it’s important to know what topics it covers. The exam measures your understanding of music theory concepts and your ability to apply them in various musical contexts. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect on the test:
Section 1: Multiple Choice
The first section of the AP Music Theory exam consists of multiple-choice questions. You’ll have 1 hour and 20 minutes to answer 75 questions that cover four main areas:
1. Basic Rudiments of Music
This section tests your knowledge of fundamental music theory concepts such as notation, scales, key signatures, intervals, chords and harmonic progression.
You can expect questions like:
- What is the interval between C and G?
- What is the key signature for G major?
- What is a dominant seventh chord?
2. Musical Texture
This section deals with polyphonic textures such as counterpoint and homophony. It also covers voice leading principles like parallelism.
You can expect questions like:
- Which type of texture features two or more independent melodic lines played simultaneously?
- What is parallelism in voice leading?
- In which texture do all voices move in parallel motion?
3. Musical Form and Analysis
This section deals with the structure and organization of music, including musical forms such as binary, ternary, rondo, sonata-allegro form, etc.
You can expect questions like:
- In which form does a piece consist of two sections (A and B)?
- In which form does a piece consist of three sections (A, B, A)?
- What are the typical sections of a sonata-allegro form?
4. Harmony
This section deals with harmonic principles such as chord progressions, chord inversions, non-chord tones, and modulation.
You can expect questions like:
- What is the Roman numeral analysis for a ii-V-I progression in C major?
- What is a first inversion triad?
- What is a passing tone?
Section 2: Free-Response
The second section of the AP Music Theory exam consists of free-response questions. You’ll have 1 hour and 25 minutes to complete four tasks:
1. Part-Writing Task
You’ll be given a melody and asked to harmonize it according to specific guidelines.
2. Melodic Dictation Task
You’ll be given a short melody to hear and asked to notate it on staff paper.
3. Harmonic Dictation Task
You’ll be played a short chord progression and asked to notate the chords on staff paper using Roman numerals.
4. Composition or Arranging Task
You’ll be given a prompt that asks you to compose or arrange a short piece of music using specific musical elements.
Overall, the AP Music Theory exam tests your knowledge of basic rudiments of music, musical texture, musical form and analysis, and harmony. The exam also assesses your ability to apply these concepts in real-world musical contexts through free-response tasks.