#AP Music Theory: Ultimate Study Guide 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Let's get you prepped and feeling awesome for your AP Music Theory exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially when time is tight. Let's dive in!

#3.1 Triad and Chord Qualities (M, m, d, A)

#What's a Triad? 🤔

A triad is a chord made of three notes stacked in thirds. Think of it as a musical sandwich with two slices of thirds!
There are four main types:
- Major (M): Root, major third, perfect fifth ☀️
- Minor (m): Root, minor third, perfect fifth 🌧️
- Diminished (d): Root, minor third, diminished fifth 😟
- Augmented (A): Root, major third, augmented fifth 😮

Key Concept

Key Point: The quality of a triad (major, minor, diminished, augmented) is determined by the specific intervals (major third, minor third, perfect fifth, diminished fifth, augmented fifth) from the root.

#Visualizing Triads

Triad Types

From right to left: C Major, C minor, C diminished, C augmented

#Triad Inversions

Root Position: Root is in the bass (lowest note).
First Inversion: Third of the chord is in the bass.
Second Inversion: Fifth of the chord is in the bass.

Memory Aid

Memory Aid: Think of inversions as a musical seesaw. The note in the bass changes the balance and feel of the chord.

#3.2 Diatonic Chords and Roman Numerals

#Diatonic Chords: Building Blocks of Harmony

Diatonic chords use only notes from a specific scale. In C major, that's C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
These chords create the foundation of a key's characteristic sound.

#Major Key Diatonic Triads

Major Key Diatonic Triads

Roman numerals represent chords. Uppercase = Major, lowercase = minor, lowercase with ° = diminished.
- I: Major (Tonic)
- ii: minor (Supertonic)
- iii: minor (Mediant)
- IV: Major (Subdominant)
- V: Major (Dominant)
- vi: minor (Submediant)
- vii°: diminished (Leading Tone)

Quick Fact

Quick Fact: In a major key, the I, IV, and V chords are always major. Remember this for quick identification!

#Minor Key Diatonic Triads

Minor Key Diatonic Triads

Minor keys have a different pattern:
- i: minor (Tonic)
- ii°: diminished (Supertonic)
- III: Major (Mediant)
- iv: minor (Subdominant)
- V: Major (Dominant) - Raised 3rd
- VI: Major (Submediant)
- vii°: diminished (Leading Tone)

Common Mistake

Common Mistake: Don't forget that the V chord in minor is major due to the raised 3rd and that the vii chord is diminished, not minor.

#3.3: Chord Inversions and Figures

#Chord Inversions: Changing the Bass Note

Inversions change the bass note, affecting the chord's sound and function.
Root Position: Root in the bass.
First Inversion: Third in the bass.
Second Inversion: Fifth in the bass.

Chord Inversions

#Figured Bass: A Baroque Code

Figured bass uses numbers below the bass line to indicate intervals above the bass note.
It's a shorthand for inversions. Think of it as musical texting from the Baroque era.
- Root position: No figure or 5/3
- First inversion: 6 (6/3)
- Second inversion: 6/4

Exam Tip

Exam Tip: Remember that figured bass numbers show the intervals above the bass note, not necessarily the chord's root. This is a common source of confusion!

#3.4: Seventh Chords

#Seventh Chords: Adding Complexity

Seventh chords have four notes, with a seventh interval above the root.
They add color and tension to music.

#Seventh Chord Qualities

Major Seventh (MM): Root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh. 🌟
Minor Seventh (mm): Root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh. 😌
Dominant Seventh (Mm): Root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh. 🎸
Diminished Seventh (d): Root, minor third, diminished fifth, diminished seventh. 😬
Half-Diminished Seventh (ø): Root, minor third, diminished fifth, minor seventh. 😟

Seventh Chord Types

Memory Aid

Memory Aid: Think of dominant 7ths as the 'bluesy' chords, major 7ths as 'jazzy', and diminished 7ths as 'spooky'.

#Diatonic Seventh Chords

In Major:
- I: Major 7th
- ii: Minor 7th
- iii: Minor 7th
- IV: Major 7th
- V: Dominant 7th
- vi: Minor 7th
- viiø: Half-diminished 7th
In Minor:
- i: Minor 7th
- iiø: Half-diminished 7th
- III: Major 7th
- iv: Minor 7th
- V: Major 7th Raised 3rd
- VI: Major 7th
- vii°: Diminished 7th

#3.5: Seventh Chord Inversions and Figures

#Seventh Chord Inversions

Same concept as triads, but with four notes.
Root Position: 7
First Inversion: 6/5
Second Inversion: 4/3
Third Inversion: 4/2
High Value Topic: Understanding seventh chords and their inversions is crucial. They appear frequently in both multiple-choice and free-response questions.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

#Top Priorities

Triad and Seventh Chord Qualities: Know your M, m, d, and A inside and out. 💡
Diatonic Chords: Master the patterns in both major and minor keys.
Roman Numeral Analysis: Practice identifying chords and their functions.
Figured Bass: Be comfortable with inversions and their symbols.

#Common Question Types

Multiple Choice: Chord identification, Roman numeral analysis, figured bass.
Free Response: Harmonizing melodies, part writing, error detection.

#Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
Double-Check: Review your answers, especially Roman numeral analysis and figured bass.
Stay Calm: You've got this! Trust your preparation.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

What is the Roman numeral analysis for a minor triad built on the 6th scale degree in a major key? a) VI b) vi c) vi° d) VI+
A chord with the notes G, B, D, and F is what type of seventh chord? a) Major seventh b) Minor seventh c) Dominant seventh d) Half-diminished seventh
What is the figured bass symbol for a second inversion triad? a) 6 b) 6/4 c) 7 d) 4/2

#Free Response Question

Instructions: Analyze the following four-part chorale excerpt. Provide a Roman numeral analysis, including inversions, for each chord. Assume the key is C major.

[Music Notation Example - Imagine a short 4-part chorale in C major with some inversions]

Scoring Breakdown: