Download ap® music theory syllabus

AP® MUSIC THEORY SYLLABUS
Amy L. Berryman, Teacher
"G" Period
2007-2008
COURSE OVERVIEW
This 36-week course is designed after a college-level class and is for the
advanced music student who has completed the Honors Music Theory course or
has equivalent training or music experience. The requirements of the College
Board and additional concepts are developed through in-depth assignments and
activities. Students are prepared to take the AP Music Theory Exam given at the
later part of the spring semester. The music technology lab, including the
Sibelius® software, digital keyboards and listening stations, is open to students
throughout the school day, and before and after school hours, to reinforce and
explore music concepts implemented in class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Define and recognize basic musical terms and theory concepts
Understand, notate, and aurally identify major, minor, pentatonic,
chromatic, whole tone scales, and church modes
Understand, notate, and identify major and minor key signatures
Analyze, notate, and aurally identify major, minor, diminished, and
augmented intervals, triads, and seventh chords
Recognize, notate, and play simple and complex rhythms in simple and
compound meter
Sing and notate diatonic and non-diatonic melodies with a variety of
rhythms and meters
Transpose diatonic and non-diatonic melodies
Identify phrase structure and texture of a variety of compositions
Identify and notate compositions in four-part voice leading texture
Understand, notate, and identify cadences, non-harmonic tones, chord
progressions, and basic forms
Understand, notate, and identify secondary chords and modulations
Analyze harmonic structure using Roman numerals and figured bass
Realize figured bass and Roman numeral anaylsis in four-part voice
leading
Create musical compositions following guidelines in meter, form, phrase
structure, key, chord progressions, modulations and non-harmonic tones
Implement daily aural training by creating a listening journal
These objectives are derived from the AP® Music Theory Course Description and
Expanded Course Specifications located on the AP Music Theory Home page on
the AP Central® website. In addition, basic piano skills and instruction of
Sibelius software are integrated throughout the course to better prepare
students for the college experience and to help them create their own
compositions.
PIANO SKILLS
Each student is required to play on the piano, in one octave, all the major scales
and all forms of the minor scales. In addition, all chords we study must be
played in root position and inversions. Students learn the scales, chords, and
piano technique as we learn the form of the scale or chord in class. Proper
fingering is emphasized.
Resource for this activity:
Bastien, James. Scales, Chords and Arpeggios. San Diego, California: Neil A. Kjos
Music Company, 1988
ASSESSMENT
Homework
Dictations
Quizzes
Tests/Exam
Sight-Singing
Composition
20% (Includes listening log, smaller compositions)
15%
20%
20%
10%
15%
Homework is usually due at the beginning of each class. There are point
deductions for work completed past the due date with unexcused explanations or
absences. For sight-singing assessment with quizzes or tests, students schedule
individual appointments with the teacher during study halls, lunch, and/or before
or after school. Depending on the climate of the class, sometimes students will
sight-sing for each other, listening for pitch and rhythm accuracy, as an
assignment.
PRIMARY TEXTBOOK
Kostka, Stefan, and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to
Twentieth Century Music, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004
Kostka, Stefan, and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction
Twentieth Century Music Workbook, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004
Kostka, Stefan, and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to
Twentieth Century Music Audio CD, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004
OTHER RESOURCES
Baca, Mike, Willie Abrams, Manton Reece, Damon Clinkscales, Bobby Thomale
and Mike Wolfinbarger. VitalSource Bookshelf Library, VitalSource
Technologies, Inc. 2006
Benward, Bruce, and Marilyn Saker. Music in Theory and Practice, 7th ed. New
York: McGraw-Hill 2003
Benward, Bruce, and Marilyn Saker. Music in Theory and Practice Workbook, 7th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill 2003
Finn, Ben, and Jonathan Finn. Sibelius 4.1 Software, Sibelius USA Inc, 2006
Ottman, Robert, and Nancy Rogers. Music for Sight Singing, 7th ed. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2007
Ricci Adams' Music Theory Website: www.musictheroy.net
Turek, Ralph. Analytical Anthology of Music, 1st ed. New York: Alfred A Knopf,
Inc. 1984
White, Gary. Music First! 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996