AP Music Theory

Advanced Placement Music Theory covering musical notation, harmony, and composition.

Musical Notation BasicsScales and Key SignaturesIntervals and Chords
Voice Leading and Part WritingAdvanced Harmonic FunctionsComposition Techniques
Analyzing Sheet MusicArranging and PerformingCreating Original Music
Effective Sight-ReadingAcing the AP Music Theory Exam
Musical Notation Bas...Scales and Key Signa...Intervals and ChordsVoice Leading and Pa...Advanced Harmonic Fu...Composition Techniqu...Analyzing Sheet Musi...Arranging and Perfor...Creating Original Mu...Effective Sight-Read...Acing the AP Music T...
Study Strategies

Effective Sight-Reading

Tips for Effective Sight-Reading

Sight-reading is playing music at first sight—no practice required! To get better, scan ahead for tricky rhythms, key changes, and accidentals. Keep a steady tempo, and don’t stop if you make mistakes—just keep going!

  • Practice with new pieces often
  • Focus on rhythm and counting
  • Mark hard spots to revisit later

Sight-reading helps you perform confidently in any setting.

Examples

  • A pianist sight-reads a new piece at a rehearsal.

  • A band member fills in for absent players by reading their parts.

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Acing the AP Music Theory Exam