Course Details
Course Description
AP Music Theory is a rigorous study of music theory for students interested in pursuing music beyond high school. The focus will be on skills required to be successful as a first year music student at a college, university or conservatory. The course is designed to prepare students for the AP music theory test in the spring. Students considering this class should have a strong background in music, including the ability to read both bass and treble clefs fluently.
Course content will include harmony and harmonic analysis, melodic and rhythmic structure, part-writing, formal analysis, score reading, and a music history overview. Personal musical skills will be developed daily through ear-training, dictation and sight-singing. Although keyboard skills are not required, they are beneficial and should be developed during the term of the class.
Semester 1: The rudiments of Music and Elementary Counterpoint
- Staff, Clefs, Pitches
- Beat, Meter and Rhythm
- Scales, Keys and Intervals
- Triads and Chords
- Roman Numeral Analysis
- Introduction to Two-Voice Counterpoint
Semester 2: Basics of Harmony, Phrase Structure and Form
- Scoring and Transposition
- The Phrase Model
- Melodic, Harmonic and Rhythmic Embellishment
- Chorale Harmonization and Voice-Leading Procedures
- Figured Bass Realization
- Harmonic Expansions and Progressions
- Formal Analysis
- Phrase Structure
Learning Targets
- Composition: Synthesize and apply knowledge of rudimentary musical materials to the construction of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Analysis: Deconstruct the elements of a piece of music in order to become more aware of the elements out of which it is composed and how they are connected to one another.
- Aural Awareness: Discern between various aural stimuli in order to develop a practical understanding of the rudimentary aspects of music theory in an application-based context.
What you need to know about AP Music Theory
Are AP classes hard?
AP students are expected to analyze techniques of historical artwork at a college level. Although AP coursework may be difficult, many of our students like the practice in critical thinking that allows them to advance in other courses.
Are AP classes really worth it?
Although AP classes take a lot of dedication, the benefits of taking an online AP course are worth it! In addition to gaining incredible knowledge, students will get college credit and college course experience to prepare them for future higher education courses.
How do online AP classes work?
The course takes one year to complete, and works much like a regular class except more in-depth. Students in AP Art History focus specific art periods and disciplines, then end with a state administered AP exam to determine how much college credit they’ve earned.
Are AP classes needed to graduate?
AP classes are not necessary to graduate high school, but are beneficial for students who want to earn college credit and reduce their high-level education costs in the future. AP Art History specializes in topics that can help students who want to pursue careers in history and art.
Can I take AP classes online?
eAchieve offers an extensive collection of online AP classes for high school students to enroll in. Start your path today to further your knowledge, advance your credits, and prepare for college with courses offered at eAchieve.
How many AP classes should I take?
Research often helps students figure out how many AP classes they should take in a year, but a student’s ability to handle coursework changes year to year. Challenge yourself at first, but try not to overwhelm yourself with work!
How does the weighted AP GPA work?
One of the many benefits of taking AP classes is that they count more towards your GPA than standard courses: which means that it is possible for students to achieve a GPA greater than 4.0! Many of our AP students see this as a safety net and a challenge to graduate with a 4.0+ (very impressive to colleges).
What are the best AP classes to take?
Start by considering AP classes in subjects you’re very interested in and subjects where you’ve had academic success. If you already know what you want to study in college, you can choose AP courses aligned with your intended major.
How do I choose between regular, honors, or AP classes?
Regular, Honors and AP classes have differences, and they can all be a valuable part of your high school career. The main thing to know is that AP classes give high schoolers the opportunity to earn college credit as they work towards their diploma.
Can homeschooled students take AP online classes?
Absolutely. Homeschooled students are welcome to apply at eAchieve and can enroll in one or two online classes each semester as a supplement to their curriculum. Our online AP classes are open to homeschoolers as well as students attending traditional brick and mortar schools.
How can I know if taking AP classes is the right move for me?
There are pros and cons to AP classes, and they’re not the right choice for all high school students. But for motivated students looking for a challenge, they can be a great way to prepare for college.
How do AP classes compare to college classes?
AP classes are designed to be about as hard as an introductory level college class. Of course the learning environment and type of instructor will vary when comparing AP and college classes.
Will taking AP in high school help with getting into college?
For the most part colleges like seeing AP classes on transcripts because it shows that a student is pushing themselves academically. You will need to earn good enough grades and exam scores to complete the picture however.
Is it smart to enroll in multiple AP classes?
Managing multiple AP courses is doable, but it takes commitment to learning and applying time management skills.
Are AP classes and dual enrollment viewed equally by colleges?
Both dual enrollment and high school AP courses provide more of an academic challenge compared to regular classes. If your main motivation is earning college credit early, you’ll probably want to stick with AP classes.
How can I take AP classes outside high school?
If your school doesn’t offer AP classes (or at least the AP classes you’re looking for to get into your favorite college), you’ll be interested in availability for online AP courses. Taking AP classes outside of high school in Wisconsin is as easy as enrolling for FREE with eAchieve Academy.