College Board
AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory is unusual among written theory exams in how much of the grade rests on part-writing and dictation, which are exactly the skills that reading cannot build. Every topic here maps to a tool that grades your work: the part-writing checker flags parallel fifths and octaves, the dictation trainer changes key each time so you cannot memorise pitches.
Topics
- 01
Fundamentals: Pitch, Rhythm and Metre
Reading pitch in both clefs, note values, metre and the vocabulary of expression.
▶ Metronome - 02
Scales and Key Signatures
Major and all three forms of minor, key signatures, and the circle of fifths.
▶ Scale Dictionary - 03
Intervals and Transposition
Interval quality and number, inversion, and transposing instruments.
▶ Interval Calculator - 04
Triads and Seventh Chords
All triad qualities and the five seventh-chord types, in every inversion.
▶ Inversion & Figured Bass Trainer - 05
Roman Numeral Analysis
Labeling harmony with roman numerals and figured-bass inversion symbols.
▶ Roman Numeral Analysis Trainer - 06
Harmonic Function, Cadence and Phrase
Tonic, predominant and dominant function, cadence types, and phrase structure.
▶ Cadence Trainer - 07
Part Writing and Voice Leading
Four-voice writing from a figured bass or a roman numeral series, without forbidden parallels.
▶ SATB Part-Writing Checker - 08
Non-Chord Tones and Embellishment
Passing, neighbor, suspension, anticipation, escape tone, appoggiatura and pedal.
▶ Nonchord Tone Lab - 09
Secondary Function and Modulation
Applied dominants, borrowed chords, and moving to a new key.
▶ Chord Progression Analyzer - 10
Modes and Form
The seven diatonic modes, plus binary, ternary and other standard forms.
▶ Form Viewer - 11
Melodic and Harmonic Dictation
Writing down what you hear — melody, bass line and the harmony between them.
▶ Dictation Trainer