Unit 6 AP Music key topics
🎼 Unit 6 Overview
Unit 6 in AP Music Theory focuses on advanced harmonic progressions, voice leading, cadences, and chromatic harmony. This unit builds on previous knowledge (Units 1-5) and introduces more complex concepts like secondary dominants and modulation.
📖 Key Topics Covered
1. Harmonic Progressions & Voice Leading
- Functional Harmony (Tonic, Predominant, Dominant)
- Smooth voice leading (avoid parallel 5ths/8ves, resolve leading tones)
- Chord inversions (I⁶, IV⁶, V⁶₄) for better melodic flow
2. Cadences
- Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC) – V→I, both in root position, soprano on tonic
- Imperfect Authentic Cadence (IAC) – V→I but with inverted chords or soprano not on tonic
- Half Cadence (HC) – Ends on V
- Deceptive Cadence (DC) – V→vi (or other unexpected chord)
3. Non-Chord Tones (NCTs)
- Passing tones (stepwise motion between chords)
- Neighbor tones (step up/down and back)
- Suspensions (held note resolves down)
- Appoggiaturas (leap to dissonance, then resolve)
4. Seventh Chords & Secondary Dominants
- Dominant 7th (V⁷) and its resolutions
- Secondary dominants (V/V, V/ii, etc.) for temporary tonicization
- Modulation (pivot chords, common-tone modulation)
5. Harmonic Sequences
- Circle of fifths progressions
- Pachelbel sequence (I-V-vi-iii-IV-I-IV-V)
🎹 Why Is Unit 6 Important?
- Essential for analyzing Bach chorales, Classical sonatas, and Romantic pieces
- Tested heavily in the AP exam (MCQs, free-response, and sight-singing)
- Critical for composing smooth, functional harmonies
📝 Exam Tips
✔ Memorize cadence types (PAC, IAC, HC, DC)
✔ Practice identifying secondary dominants (e.g., V/V resolves to V)
✔ Master voice-leading rules (no parallels, resolve tendency tones)
🎶 Conclusion
Unit 6 is one of the most important sections in AP Music Theory, covering harmony, cadences, and chromaticism. Understanding these concepts will help you analyze music, compose effectively, and ace the AP exam.
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