#AP Music Theory: Night Before Review 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Let's get you feeling confident and ready to rock this AP Music Theory exam. We're going to break down those tricky voice leading rules and seventh chords, so you can ace it! Let's dive in!

#Voice Leading with Seventh Chords

#General Rule: Stepwise Motion is Key 🔑

When using seventh chords in inversions, remember that smooth voice leading is crucial. Aim for stepwise motion when entering and exiting these chords. Think of it like a graceful dance, not a clumsy leap! This helps create a melodic bass line, just like those cool jazz walking bass lines.

#Leading Tone Seventh Chords (ⅶ°7 and ⅶø7)

These chords are versatile and have two main functions:

• Dominant Substitute: They can replace the V or V7 chord, acting as a dominant. Think of them as the V chord's stylish cousin.
• Tonic Prolongation: Placed between tonic chords, they extend the tonic's presence with smooth, stepwise voice leading.

#ⅶ°7/ⅶø7 - I Cadence

• Usually, the ⅶ°7 is used in root position for a strong leading-tone to tonic resolution. This gives a powerful pull towards the tonic.

• Inversions can also work, especially when the leading tone is in the top voice, maintaining that strong resolution.

#ⅶ°7/ⅶø7 Between Tonic Chords

• Inversions are super useful here! For example, a I-ⅶ6/5-I progression creates a smooth voice exchange.
• This creates a more melodic and interesting progression than using root position chords.

• Root Position Seventh Chords: You can omit a chord tone (usually the 5th), but be careful.
• Inverted Seventh Chords: Never omit any chord tones! Keep them all in there. It's like making sure all the ingredients are in the recipe!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. In a four-part harmony, which of the following is generally true about the treatment of the seventh in an inverted seventh chord? (A) It may be omitted to avoid parallel motion (B) It should be approached by a leap (C) It should be approached by common tone or step (D) It may be doubled

2. Which of the following is the best practice when writing a ii7 chord in first inversion? (A) Omit the fifth of the chord (B) Double the third of the chord (C) Ensure all chord tones are present (D) Approach the seventh by a leap

Free Response Question:

Given the following progression in C Major, provide a four-part voice leading realization, following all standard voice leading practices. Identify the cadences present.

I - vi - ii6 - V7 - I

Scoring Rubric:

• 1 point: Correctly notated soprano line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated alto line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated tenor line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated bass line.
• 1 point: All chords are spelled correctly.
• 1 point: No parallel fifths or octaves.
• 1 point: Correct resolution of the leading tone.
• 1 point: Correct resolution of the chordal seventh.
• 1 point: Correct identification of cadence type (Authentic Cadence).

#Unit 4 Voice Leading Rules Summary

Okay, let's zoom out and recap all those voice leading rules. It might seem like a lot, but you've got this! 💪

#General Voice Leading Rules and Considerations:

1. Stepwise Motion: Voices should move mostly by step, avoiding big leaps.
2. Common Tones: Keep common tones in the same voice when possible. It's like holding onto a familiar friend.
3. SATB Order: Maintain Soprano-Alto-Tenor-Bass order to avoid voice crossing. Keep those voices in their lanes!
4. Avoid Parallel Fifths/Octaves: Don't move to a perfect 5th or octave in parallel motion between the same two voices. It's a big no-no!
5. Melodic Intervals: Stick to major/minor 2nds, 3rds, perfect 4ths, and 5ths. Avoid augmented or diminished intervals.
6. Leading Tone Resolution: Leading tones in outer voices should resolve up by step. Don't leave them hanging!
7. Implied Chords: Make sure your soprano notes make harmonic sense.
8. Acceptable Progressions: Use tonic, supertonic, subdominant, and dominant triads following harmonic progression rules.
9. Repeated Harmonies: Okay on strong beats, or weak beats at the beginning of a phrase.
10. Bass Line: Balance steps and leaps, and use more leaps than upper voices.
11. Bass Line Leaps: Use 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, octaves, and descending dim 5ths (resolved properly).
12. Octave Leaps: Change direction after an octave leap.
13. Bass Line Successive Leaps: Okay if they outline a triad.
14. Repeated Bass Notes: Okay on strong beats or weak beats at the start of a phrase/suspension.
15. Bass Line Rhythms: Quarter notes are most frequent.

#Parallel Voices

1. Avoid Parallel Fifths and Octaves: As mentioned, a major no-no!
2. Avoid Direct Fifths and Octaves: Don't move to a perfect 5th or octave even if voices are not moving in parallel motion.
3. Avoid Three Consecutive Thirds/Sixths: Too much of a good thing is not a good thing here!
4. Avoid Rising Unequal Fifths: Diminished 5th to Perfect 5th is a no-go.

#Doubling and Spacing Rules

1. Double the Root: Whenever possible, double the root of a triad.
2. Double Thirds/Fifths: Okay if it results in good voice leading.
3. Double Non-Tendency Tones: Always double non-tendency tones (not the leading tone or chordal 7th).
4. Root Position 7th Omit 5th: Double the root if you omit the 5th.
5. V7-I: Tonic triad may have three roots and a third (no fifth) following a complete V7. 6. 6/4 Chords: Always double the bass in 6/4 chords.
6. Upper Voice Spacing: Keep upper voices less than an octave apart.

#Seventh Chords

1. Approach Chordal Sevenths: By common tone or step. Ascending leap or descending leap of a 3rd are also possible.
2. Resolve Chordal Sevenths: Down by step. Except in a I-V4/3-I6 progression where the seventh can resolve upwards.
3. Omit 5th in Root Position V7: Okay if it helps voice leading; double the root.
4. Inverted 7th Chords: Must be spelled completely.

#Cadences

1. End with a Cadence: Phrases should end with a cadence.
2. Authentic Cadences: V-I (or vii-I) for resolution. Perfect (root position) or Imperfect (inverted).
3. Half Cadences: End on a V chord. Creates a pause, not a full stop.
4. Deceptive Cadences: V-vi. Tricks the ear, prolongs tension.
5. Plagal Cadences: IV-I. Weaker resolution, like a gentle amen.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. What is the most common way to approach a chordal seventh? (A) By a leap of a fourth (B) By a descending leap of a third (C) By common tone or step (D) By an ascending leap of a fifth

2. Which of the following is NOT a proper cadence? (A) V-I (B) IV-I (C) V-vi (D) I-V

Free Response Question:

Given the following four-part harmony excerpt in G minor, analyze the chords and identify any voice leading errors. Correct the errors, if any, and identify the cadence at the end.

(Musical excerpt with chords i, iv6, V, i)

Scoring Rubric:

• 1 point: Correctly identified chord symbols.
• 1 point: Correctly identified voice leading errors (if any).
• 1 point: Correctly corrected voice leading errors.
• 1 point: Correctly identified cadence type (Authentic Cadence).
• 1 point: Correctly notated soprano line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated alto line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated tenor line.
• 1 point: Correctly notated bass line.
• 1 point: No parallel fifths or octaves.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Okay, you've made it! Here's what to focus on for the exam:

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Voice leading rules (especially parallel 5ths/8ves, leading tone resolution, and chordal 7th resolution).
  • Seventh chord inversions and their functions.
  • Cadences (authentic, half, deceptive, plagal).
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple choice questions on voice leading rules and chord functions.
  • Free response questions requiring four-part writing and error correction.
  • Analysis questions identifying cadences and chord types.
• Time Management Tips:
  • Quickly scan questions for key requirements.
  • Prioritize questions based on your comfort level.
  • Don't spend too long on one question; move on and come back if time allows.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Forgetting to resolve the leading tone or chordal seventh.
  • Creating parallel fifths or octaves.
  • Incorrectly identifying cadences.
• Strategies for Challenging Questions:
  • Break down complex questions into smaller parts.
  • Use your knowledge of basic principles to guide you.
  • Double-check your work for errors.

You've got this! Go in there with confidence, and remember all the cool musical secrets you've learned. You're going to do great! 🎉