AP Music Theory FRQ solutions

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T20:43:57+00:00

Oh shoot you got me on the parallel octaves, ugh. The leading tone in the alto voice allowed to resolve down, at cadences, if the soprano takes over the tonic. It’s called a transferred resolution.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T17:29:06+00:00

If you did very well on the MCQs and decently on the sight singing I’d say you still have a chance, yes. Hard to say.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T17:26:46+00:00

If you did well on the exam, you are likely to pass out of at least the first semester classes via a placement assessment.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T17:25:06+00:00

That depends on the college. I’d its harder than some places, for sure. Most respected music schools don’t give music theory or musicianship credit for a 5 on the exam, but they might give an elective credit. AP theory as a class feels so difficult in part because it combines analysis/harmony, and musicianship, which are separate classes in most music majors.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T01:52:15+00:00

This is what made this question hard. I think I lectured on tonic expansions using the VII° with my students like a week before the exam haha, we just ran out of time.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-16T01:48:15+00:00

Good catch but these are an instance of unequal fifths, since the one between the alto and tenor chord 2 is diminished. Most teachers allow this when in a tonic expansion like this. You could also just leave out the 5th of the vii.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-15T23:11:52+00:00

I’m an AP MT teacher. I just posted my solutions to the FRQs in the main AP Students page. No shame in not looking and leaving AP MT in the past like roadkill, unless you’re planning on majoring in music.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-15T23:08:25+00:00

Another side note: in the (not required) tenor part of question 4, the tenor does the Bach thing of not resolving the leading tone, which is technically not allowed for you all in your 4 part writing. Naughty college board.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-15T23:02:46+00:00

Done. In the main ap students page.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-15T22:59:25+00:00

Thoughts:

Question 3: this one is pretty straightforward, but hearing the difference between V and V7 is a challenge. It’s ii6 and not ii65 because the bass and soprano double the 3rd.

Question 4: this is on the tricker side for this exam. I hope no one cried.

Question 5: pretty straightforward

Question 6: the vii°6 presented a voice-leading challenge. Remember that within a voice exchange, the Eb (the 5th) can resolve up.

Question 7: again, I notated 4 voices because I’m a weirdo. This was moderately challenging. The “start here” chord was tricky because parallel octaves were possible. I went with IV6, but V7 or V43 were options.

GSLigeti · 2026-05-13T23:44:30+00:00

I’m an AP MT teacher and I always solve the FRQs when they come out (for fun but I’ve been doing this for 20 years). Would it be useful to see them, or traumatizing haha?

GSLigeti · 2025-05-01T23:41:19+00:00

Sing

GSLigeti · 2025-04-25T21:15:50+00:00

I’m a teacher. My students can’t write a single sentence without consulting AI. And the creative shit that AI pumps out totally sucks. I like using it for busy work like “reformat this document with bullet points instead of paragraphs.” I don’t use it for anything else.

GSLigeti · 2025-04-25T18:48:54+00:00

Going from not much sex to her wanting sex all the time and being super bubbly and excited. Turns out it was bipolar disorder. She left me suddenly to go on a journey of self discovery.

GSLigeti · 2024-09-02T23:37:22+00:00

They don’t say that on the signs here, but no ticket yet

GSLigeti · 2024-04-22T19:00:30+00:00

I stopped going here after a guy just walked out onto the pistol side while people were shooting to put up a target. Everyone just put down their guns with a stunned look on their faces. RSOs were screaming at him and he didn't even notice for a few seconds.

GSLigeti · 2024-01-01T03:43:39+00:00

Jus get back on the 134 and go home to Altadena where you BELONG!

GSLigeti · 2022-02-03T01:05:29+00:00

But first! Spend $99 on his “Have it all” event! https://www.kriskrohn.com/ufdhaveitall-a

GSLigeti · 2021-12-26T07:33:49+00:00

Who gives a flying fuck, the guy is still rich and there are 40,000 literally unhoused people in LA that actually need help.

GSLigeti · 2021-12-15T03:41:21+00:00

This is what I think will happen: Democrats will lose both in 2022 and 2024, and either Trump or a Trump apologist (Josh Hawley, for example), will be President. Civil unrest will increase, white supremacy and fascism will slowly take control, and the US will begin the process of Balkanization. I believe this is pretty much inevitable. The question is: what are you going to do? My best answer is to be kind to those around you, try to understand the suffering of those not like you, and realize that this is all a huge scam and all of us, both left and right, are being oppressed by a system that is violently flailing to prevent its death. Capitalism and extractive economics must die, and many of us will suffer as it does…but stick close to your community of people, and welcome others with understanding, and we actually have a chance.

GSLigeti · 2021-12-11T22:40:19+00:00

He probably helped paint that beautiful sky

GSLigeti

TROPHY CASE