AP Music Theory practice questions and exam guide

A diminished triad is constructed by stacking:

1. Two perfect fifths
2. Two major thirds
3. Two minor thirds — creating a diminished triad with a diminished fifth
4. Two octaves

Answer: C — Two minor thirds — creating a diminished triad with a diminished fifth

C) Definition. A/B/D) Each is incorrect.

TEMPO marking 'allegro' indicates:

1. Slowly
2. Stop
3. Very slow
4. FAST, lively — typically 120-168 BPM; from Italian 'cheerful'
5. Loud

Answer: D — FAST, lively — typically 120-168 BPM; from Italian 'cheerful'

Tempo markings (Italian): largo (very slow), adagio (slow), andante (walking), moderato (moderate), allegro (fast), presto (very fast), prestissimo (extremely fast). Often modified: allegretto (slightly less fast), molto allegro (very fast), allegro ma non troppo (fast but not too much).

A Perfect Authentic Cadence requires:

1. V → I, both root position, soprano on the tonic note
2. V → I in any inversion
3. IV → I
4. V → vi

Answer: A — V → I, both root position, soprano on the tonic note

A) Strict PAC requirements. B) That's an IAC if any condition fails. C) Plagal. D) Deceptive — trap mixing cadence types.

An augmented triad consists of:

1. Two minor thirds
2. A perfect fifth between root and fifth
3. Two major thirds, producing an augmented fifth between root and fifth
4. A major third and a perfect fourth

Answer: C — Two major thirds, producing an augmented fifth between root and fifth

C) Two stacked major thirds (C-E-G#). A) Diminished. B) Major or minor triads. D) Not a triad quality.

What is the DORIAN mode based on?

1. Major scale
2. Natural minor scale
3. Second mode of major: D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D (same notes as C major starting on D)
4. Major scale with raised 4th
5. Minor scale with lowered 2nd

Answer: C — Second mode of major: D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D (same notes as C major starting on D)

Modes are rotations of the major scale. Dorian = 2nd mode (start on D in C major). Sounds like natural minor but with raised 6th. Common in folk and modal jazz. Other modes: Phrygian (3rd), Lydian (4th), Mixolydian (5th), Aeolian (6th = natural minor), Locrian (7th).

A neighbor tone (NT) is:

1. The chordal third
2. A repeated chord tone
3. Always dissonant against a major chord
4. Approached and left by step in opposite directions, returning to the same chord tone

Answer: D — Approached and left by step in opposite directions, returning to the same chord tone

D) Definition (e.g., C-D-C over a C chord). A/B/C) Wrong.

An AUGMENTED CHORD consists of:

1. Major 3rd + minor 3rd (major triad)
2. Perfect 4th + perfect 5th
3. Two minor 3rds (diminished)
4. Two stacked MAJOR THIRDS (augmented 5th from root) — symmetrical, ambiguous tonally; e.g., C-E-G#
5. Seven semitones

Answer: D — Two stacked MAJOR THIRDS (augmented 5th from root) — symmetrical, ambiguous tonally; e.g., C-E-G#

Triad qualities: major (M3+m3), minor (m3+M3), diminished (m3+m3), augmented (M3+M3). Augmented chords are symmetrical → only 4 distinct (C+, Db+, D+, Eb+); used for color, modulations. Common in Romantic + Wagner.

The Mixolydian mode differs from a major scale by:

1. A raised fourth
2. A lowered seventh — yielding the dominant-seventh sound
3. A lowered second
4. A raised fifth

Answer: B — A lowered seventh — yielding the dominant-seventh sound

B) Mixolydian = major with b7. A) Lydian. C) Phrygian. D) Augmented quality.

RHYTHMIC DICTATION on AP Music Theory requires:

1. Playing back recordings
2. Conducting
3. Singing
4. Composing original work
5. Notating heard rhythms in a given meter; multiple hearings provided; tests internal pulse, subdivision, and notation fluency

Answer: E — Notating heard rhythms in a given meter; multiple hearings provided; tests internal pulse, subdivision, and notation fluency

AP Music Theory ear-training: melodic dictation, rhythmic dictation, harmonic dictation (chord progression), sight-singing (separate live FRQ). Strategy: notate pulse first, then subdivisions, then specific patterns. Mental playback critical.

POLYPHONY differs from HOMOPHONY in that:

1. Polyphony: multiple INDEPENDENT melodic lines (Bach fugues). Homophony: one melody supported by harmonic accompaniment (most pop songs)
2. Polyphony is louder
3. Homophony has no rhythm
4. Polyphony lacks pitch
5. They are the same

Answer: A — Polyphony: multiple INDEPENDENT melodic lines (Bach fugues). Homophony: one melody supported by harmonic accompaniment (most pop songs)

Texture types: monophony (one line, no harmony), homophony (melody + chords), polyphony (multiple equal lines), heterophony (variants of same melody simultaneously). Bach: polyphonic master. Mozart: homophonic clarity. AP Music Theory listening tests texture identification.

A PERFECT FIFTH consists of:

1. 7 half-steps (e.g., C to G); one of the consonant 'perfect' intervals along with P1, P4, P8
2. 5 half-steps
3. 4 half-steps
4. 8 half-steps
5. 12 half-steps

Answer: A — 7 half-steps (e.g., C to G); one of the consonant 'perfect' intervals along with P1, P4, P8

Interval counting: M2 = 2, m3 = 3, M3 = 4, P4 = 5, TT = 6, P5 = 7, m6 = 8, M6 = 9, m7 = 10, M7 = 11, P8 = 12. Perfect intervals: unison, 4th, 5th, octave. Tritone (TT): the famous 'diabolus in musica.'

What is a PAC (Perfect Authentic Cadence)?

1. IV-I progression
2. Deceptive cadence
3. Plagal cadence
4. Half cadence
5. V-I (or V7-I) with both chords in root position and tonic note in the highest voice — strongest cadential closure

Answer: E — V-I (or V7-I) with both chords in root position and tonic note in the highest voice — strongest cadential closure

PAC requirements: V (or V7) → I, both root position, soprano on tonic note at I. Strongest possible 'period' in tonal music. Common at phrase ends. AP exam frequently tests cadence identification.

What's the staff?

Five horizontal lines/four spaces on which music is notated.

Bach belonged to which period?

Baroque.

Inversion of major becomes?

Minor (and vice versa). Plus the numbers add to 9 (e.g., M3 → m6).

Eb major flats?

3 (Bb Eb Ab).

C major chord progression: I-IV-V-I?

C-F-G-C. Common in many songs.

Identify chord: C-Eb-G?

C minor triad (m3 + P5).