AP Music Theory

AP Music Theory is an introductory college-level music theory course. Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design.

Prerequisite

Students should have a basic background in reading music. Ongoing participation in band, choir, or piano is expected.

Special Purchases

Barron’s AP Music Theory text

Homework Estimate

Several times a week, 30-60 minutes

Major Concepts Covered

The AP Music Theory course focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within introductory college music theory courses, with the goal of helping students become sophisticated and thoughtful music listeners, performers, and composers. AP Music Theory students learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. To become proficient with these skills, students need to consistently practice applying course concepts through aural analysis, score analysis, sight-singing, dictation, and composition.

Insider Information

AP Music Theory is a college-level course, and it is best if students have some practical experience in music prior to taking it, either instrumental or vocal study. Students need to be selfmotivated and stay on top of concepts, as everything builds on everything else.

AP Music Theory is not a course that can be exhausted in one year. In college, this course is usually spread over four semesters. This class gives the student who may want to major or minor in music a head start in what they will be required to study, as well as an understanding of the content so that they can successfully take the AP Music Theory exam.