AP Music Theory curriculum

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use pitch notation, major scales, key signatures, rhythm, meter, tempo, dynamics, and expressive markings.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Notate and perform short major-key rhythm and pitch examples, then correct them from a recording.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Connect written symbols to performed sound.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use minor scales and keys, intervals, melody, timbre, texture, syncopation, and cross-rhythm.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Complete interval and minor-key drills plus a short melodic dictation and sight-singing recording.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Recognize features aurally and visually.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Spell and identify diatonic triads, seventh chords, qualities, and inversions.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Analyze and aurally identify a chord set, then realize each chord in a named key.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Hear chord quality and bass position.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use chord function, cadences, phrase structure, SATB spacing, doubling, and seventh-chord voice leading.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Realize a figured-bass or Roman-numeral progression and annotate every voice-leading decision.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Avoid parallels and unresolved tendency tones.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use predominant function, progressions, cadences, and phrase models.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Compose and analyze a phrase using tonic, predominant, dominant, cadence, and clean four-part motion.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Connect harmonic syntax to aural expectation.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use nonchord tones, motives, melodic sequence, and harmonic sequence.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Annotate a score excerpt and write a short continuation using two controlled embellishing devices.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Distinguish embellishment from structural harmony.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Use tonicization, secondary dominants, and secondary leading-tone chords.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Analyze and realize secondary-function progressions in four parts and identify them by ear.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Resolve chromatic tendency tones correctly.

Start with AP Music Theory and Open Music Theory. Take notes until you can explain: Recognize modes, phrase relationships, formal sections, and large-scale organization.

Do the first sequenced checks until the definitions, vocabulary, and setup are correct without hints.

Produce the assignment artifact, then pass the application and analysis checks tied to: Complete a mixed AP portfolio with analysis, dictation, sight singing, part writing, and an error-specific final review.

Any miss becomes an error-log entry, a clean redo, and one nearby transfer problem before advancing.

Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Integrate aural, written, sight-singing, dictation, and composition skills.