<p>I know an APMT book hasn't been made yet, but for a self-studier, which would be the most complete book to use that would thoroughly address all the stuff that's on the AP test, and isn't impossible to understand? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The book S used at school in AP Music Theory class was called "Tonal Harmony." He doesn't remember the author. His piano teacher, who was also his composition teacher, actually taught his music theory teacher in college at GA State, and I think she used that book, as well. Can't tell you how easy or hard it was.</p>
<p>If you play piano at all, there is an excellent set of theory books called "Fundamentals of Piano Theory" by Keith Snell & Martha Ashleigh, published by Kjos. They are "graded" so you can start at whatever level you need. Of course, there aren't any answers in the books; it is expected that you will be working with a teacher on them. These books aren't really for AP students -- I'm mentioning them more for kids who want to get a good grounding in theory earlier on, or for kids who need some additional help.</p>
<p>Tonal Harmony is by Stefan Kotska and Dorothy Payne. It's standard both at the AP and college levels, so it would be a really good choice.</p>
<p>For a "quick overview/review" kind of thing, you should try Marjorie Merryman's "Music Theory Handbook." BTW, neither of these cover dictation and ear training, for which you should try Robert Ottman's "Music for Sight Singing," the standard text-- but try to get that one used, it's really expensive!</p>
<p>There actually is a book made specifically for AP Music Theory. I would advise against buying it (as I've read TERRIBLE reviews). Check out the reviews for yourself:</p>
<p>Maybe you'll decide that you like it? ...</p>
<p>I've taught some Pre-AP Music Theory courses and tutor theory.
The books I use primarily are Paul O. Harder and Greg Steinke's Basic Materials in Music Theory, Harmonic Materials in Music Theory (Parts I & II) and Bridge to 20th Century Music.
They are for sale on Amazon at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/102-8886399-4028954?search-alias=aps&keywords=paul%20harder%5B/url%5D">http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/102-8886399-4028954?search-alias=aps&keywords=paul%20harder</a></p>
<p>They cover music theory in a very step-by-step ("programed") manner using immediate corrective feedback through a question-answer method of teaching.
That will cover the music theory aspect of the AP theory test. Unfortunately, ear-training is much more difficult to learn without the aid of a teacher. I would suggest using the Kodaly method as it has been shown repeatedly to be the most effective ear-training method to date.</p>
<p>Mike</p>
<p>Well, I'm already pretty well-versed in fundamentals of music theory--I'd just like a book that will teach me stuff like composition and more complex aspects of the test.</p>
<p>My son first used a book by Paul Hindemith and now uses a book titled "Harmony" by Walter Piston. He did not take the AP theory test, but scored very well on the theory parts of music auditions.</p>
<p>DD got a five on the AP music theory exam. She had taken a theory course (not AP, but based on the materials covered in the test), and also had taken theory for three summers at New England Music Camp (where she was in Theory 4 her first summer). I asked her what helped with the "more complex" aspects of the test...composition, etc. She clearly said..PIANO LESSONS. Without those she says the whole harmony and chord thing would have been theory only. With piano, it was put into practice. She said she actually pictured the keyboard and it helped with the exam. Also, for the dictation section...she says she was able to picture the fingering on her oboe and on the piano, and then was able to write the notation. So...from the instrumentalist...she says...take piano lessons, and study an instrument and this will help you. Of course if you're taking the test in May...it's too late for that!! BTW..DS, the music major agrees that his piano studies (he's a trumpet major) continue to make music theory much more approachable for him. He often uses the piano to figure out music theory "problems".</p>
<p>Piano is always a good solution, but many pianists do not understand theory itself nor do they understand ear-training. This is because many pianists actually play mostly by ear or almost entirely technically (without actually listening to the music). Both extremes can sound good, but will never reach the level of artistry that a combination of the two produces.</p>
<p>thumper: yea! that's what I did on the lvl10 CM test (this theory test that some Californian teacher's association administers) for almost all of the ear stuff. Picturing piano keys definitely does help. Is there any place where I can get an idea of what the aural portion sounds like?</p>
<p>Agh. These suggestions are great, but the problem with most of these books is that they don't really fit with my situation. Like, some of them are wayy too expensive, as I really only need to review a couple concepts, and I don't want to buy a $80 book only to skim through 3/4 of it. But, then again, I don't want to pay $80 for an AP test that I'll fail due to lack of study. </p>
<p>Ahh well, thanks anyway!</p>
<p>You might try a search for "Tonal Harmony" on e-bay. There are many copies available - also saw a student workbook - and several were fairly inexpensive.</p>
<p>Here is another AP music theory self-studier... I should be fine on at least half of the exam already (I took some sample multiple choice questions). Being a pianist really helps! I plan to ask the music theory teacher at my h.s. for study materials, since my h.s. does not offer AP music theory this year because not enough people signed up for it. </p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>My AP music theory teacher does not use Tonal Harmony or any text book. She doesn't like any of the books out there. I was frusterated because I thought I could do better with a text book. So I went to the school library, and found Tonal Harmony. Some one has got to write a new text book! Tonal Harmony is difficult to follow in my opinion, but that's probably because I have no instuction along with it. I feel lost, and I don't know what to expect on the exam. I am deciding whether or not to register for it. </p>
<p>One question out of many: is all of the part writing on the exam based on four parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)? Not all of the harmonies in the text book are written in 4 parts, as I have been taught, so I'm very confused. </p>
<p>We music students need better resources!!</p>