Music Theory AP

Maloney High School Music Department
Music Theory AP Course Syllabus
This is a certified AP course designated by The College Board
This course can acquire college credits

Text: Tonal Harmony Text/Workbook, Kostka-Payne

Required Materials: Staff paper notebook, lined paper notebook, several No. #2 pencils

Grading Criteria:

20% Homework assignments
20% Class Quizzes
20% Class assignments/ear training exercises
20% Exams
20% Projects assigned throughout the year

Notes:

•   This course is designed to prepare you for the Music Theory AP test, which will be given at the end of the second semester. By taking this course, you are expected to take that test, and work throughout the year in a manner in which will prepare you for it. It is a rigorous course with a very large amount of material in which to cover.

•   Extra help is always available before and after school and by appointment.

•   Several books are available to you in the band library, as well as information on the lab computers. I encourage you to take advantage of these tools throughout the year.

•   You can contact me with theory questions at the following email address: cyr@maloneyband.net

•   This class will incorporate technology often during lessons. Although it is not a requirement, a notation style computer program can help you in this course. I recommend “Print Music” by Coda Music Inc. or “Finale” by Coda Music Inc. if you are an advanced computer user. These programs as well as others will be available to you at school.

Course Outline:
Note:
Ear training is not listed in the outline, but will take place every week. Homework and reading assignments as well as some projects will be announced in class. Review elements are also not listed, but will take place weekly.

Sample Course Outline by Week:

Week I
Course Introduction
Rhythm activites
Basic musical symbols
Simple/Duple meter

Week II
Rhythm review/activities
Basic pitch symbols
Basic elements of pitch
Note Names

Week III
Tempo/Dynamics
Accidentals
Melody analysis
Begin singing in class

Week IV
Half/Whole steps
The piano keyboard
Reinforcers/review/activities
Tetrachords
Maj-min Scales

Week V
Maj-min Scales Contd
Scale degrees
Solfedge

Week VI
Reinforce M&m scales and all m forms
Quick mode intro/history revelance
Key Signatures

Week VII
Key Signatures
Cycle of 5ths
Key relationships

Week VIII
Melodic Dictation Starts
Key review
Assessment #1

Week IX
Triads
Triadic Inversions

Week X
Melody analysis
Simple comp.

Week XI
Figured Bass
Melody analysis

Week XII
7th chords
7th inversions

Week XIII
Roman numerals
(Chord Progression Chart given out)
Basic Composition

Week XIV
Voice Leading rules
Basic Composition
Week XV
Homophonic Analysis
Voice Leading rules
Basic Composition
Review

Week XVI
Review
Mid-Term Exam

Week XVII
Secondary Dominants
Basic Composition using all
I IV V I Progression

Week XVIII
Cadences
Melodic Sequence

Week XIX
SATB Writing

Week XX
Species Counterpoint

Week XXI
Harmonizing a melody
Chord Progression

Week XXII
Part writing with inversions
Treatment of 6/4 chords

Week XXIII
Phrasing and periods
Analysis
Texture terms

Week XXIV
NCT’s
Week XXV
Modulation
Harmonic Rhythm

Week XXVI
Part writing with 7th chords
All inclusive composing

Week XXVII
Composition

Week XXIX
Review
Administering of the AP exam

Week XXX
Review

Week XXXI
Review
Test week

Week XXXII & XXXIII
Final Project time

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