Hi! Being a music student for the past couple of years, I was hoping to self study for the AP Music Theory exam (school doesn’t offer the class). I do participate in extra curricular ensembles and will be able to get some help from outside. Which textbooks do you recommend to cover the syllabus found at a normal class? Are there any online courses for this? Just looking for a solid textbook for the syllabus covered and maybe an online course designed for the AP exam?
Why do you want to take the AP Music Theory exam?
I don’t think it is worth the time and effort to self-study for an AP exam. I would focus on doing as well as you can get n your scheduled classes and making meaningful contributions in your EC activities.
Both of my kids took AP Music Theory exam…and both got a 5. It was a total waste of money to take that test.
One was a music major…and music majors are required to take the college course.
The other was required to take two fine arts courses IN college…and couldn’t use the AP course instead.
But they both got some AP award…big. Deal.
@happy1 @thumper1 thanks for the reply! I want to take it because I love music to the core and I don’t believe that I will have enough time to pursue music to the fullest in college, and my school doesn’t have it, so I thought of self studying.
I respectfully disagree with @happy1. A prospective music student who self teaches music theory because it isn’t available to them at schools shows schools they are industrious and will seek what they need. They can do that anyway without taking the exam but have no way to show the school that they have done so. This is very different from the scenario of students who simply take AP exams to accumulate what they view as a number that would impress a college. Doing so is pointless. But for this student, I’d say self teaching and taking the test is a very good idea.
What is this going to show the school? This student is not even clear on what he or she wants to study in college. A 5 on the Music Theory AP test is not going to make or break a college acceptance. @lostaccount
If this student just wants to do it for their own satisfaction…fine.
If the OP is interested in a topic and wants to read/study for his or her own edification that is great. However, I would put the emphasis on learning topics of interest rather than cramming for an AP exam. I would not let self-studying for this AP get in the way of: 1) doing one’s best in every scheduled HS class; 2) studying for standardized tests; 3) meaningful involvement in ECs; and 4) enjoying time with friends and family.
FWIW My D was a science major in college and found time to take music courses and play in the chamber orchestra.
@happy1 ditto here. My kid was an engineering major and played first chair on her instrument in the college orchestra for all four years. She also took private lessons for all four years.
The only relationship to the AP exam? Her very strong instrumental skills, particularly piano, helped her get that five on the AP test. That 5 was totally worthless for college purposes.
I agree with everything mentioned in this post and thank you to everyone who posted! @happy1 @lostaccount @thumper1 ! Just wanted to make it clear that I don’t want to do it to prove to anyone or brag or anything. I want to do it for my own self because I love music and I think that I may be able to be a successful in it (not at all meant to brag). Thus, I started a thread to inquire about people’s experiences with studying for this course (whether self study or through a class) and what textbooks/resources they used.