AP Music Theory

slugabed
Mon, 06 May 2013 01:35:47 +0000

The free response part (at least to my knowledge) involves melodic dictation (listening to a melody 3-4 times and writing it down), harmonic progression (listening to a musical excerpt 3-4 times and notating soprano and bass voices and the roman numerals that indicate the chords and their inversions), realizing figured bass using traditional 18th century procedures, and completing the bass line for a melody. There are 2 questions for each concept (first one is easier, second is more difficult) except the completing the bass line for the melody.

The multiple choice part includes both aural and non aural questions, and there are 2 sight singing questions where you get a certain amount of time to practice and then the proctor helps you record it so it can be scored.

Piano knowledge is a plus, strong background in music theory is almost a must (or it’d probably be pretty difficult), and a good ear will be helpful particularly with writing down melodies and such.

I’ve been playing the piano for 11 years and I’ve taken up to ABRSM music theory level 5 and I’m taking the test next week! Let me know if you have any other questions.