AP Music Theory

The key document for each AP course is the course and exam description. Start by reviewing it to understand the objectives and expectations of the course and exam.

AP Music Theory Course and Exam Description (.pdf/8.02MB)

The list below represents examples of textbooks that meet the curricular requirements of AP Music Theory. The list is not exhaustive and the texts listed should not be regarded as endorsed, authorized, recommended, or approved by College Board. Not using a book from this list does not mean that a course will not receive authorization. Syllabi submitted as part of the AP Course Audit process will be evaluated holistically, with textbooks considered along with supplementary resources to confirm that the course as a whole provides students with the content delineated in the curricular requirements of the AP Course Audit.

The current editions of the following textbooks meet the AP Course Audit curricular requirements. Earlier editions of these texts or other textbooks not listed here may meet the AP Course Audit curricular requirements if supplemented with appropriate college-level instructional resources. While every effort is made to keep this list current, it can take a few months for newly published titles and revised editions to be reviewed.

For discussions regarding the usefulness of these texts and other teaching materials, please consult the AP Music Theory Teacher Community.

 Written Theory: Harmony and Comprehensive Texts

• Aldwell, Edward, Carl Schachter, and Allen Cadwallader. Harmony and Voice Leading. 5th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2019.
• Benjamin, Thomas, Michael Horvit, Robert Nelson, and Timothy Koozin. Techniques and Materials of Music: From the Common Practice Period Through the Twentieth Century. 7th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2015.
• Burstein, L. Poundie, and Joseph N. Straus. Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony. 3rd edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2025.
• Clendinning, Jane Piper, and Elizabeth West Marvin. The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis. 4th edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2025.
• Kostka, Stefan, Dorothy Payne, and Byron Almen. Tonal Harmony. 9th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2024.
• Laitz, Steven G. The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to Theory, Analysis, and Listening. 5th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2023.
• Mayfield, Connie E. Theory Essentials: An Integrated Approach to Harmony, Ear Training, and Keyboard Skills. 2nd edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2013.
• Roig-Francoli, Miguel. Harmony in Context. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2020.
• Shaffer, Kris, Bryn Hughes, and Brian Moseley. Open Music Theory. Hybrid Pedagogy Publishing, 2014.
• Snodgrass, Jennifer. Contemporary Musicianship. 2nd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.
• Spencer, Peter, and Barbara Bennett. The Practice of Harmony. 7th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2018.

Anthologies for Music Analysis and Study

• Benjamin, Thomas, Michael Horvit, and Robert Nelson. Music for Analysis: Examples From the Common Practice Period and the Twentieth Century. 9th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2025.
• Burkhart, Charles, and William Rothstein. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 7th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2025.
• Clendinning, Jane Piper, and Elizabeth West Marvin. Anthology for The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis. 4th edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2021.

Aural Skills: Sight Singing, Ear Training, Keyboard, and Rhythmic Reading Texts

• Benjamin, Thomas E., Michael Horvit, and Robert S. Nelson. Music for Sight Singing. 7th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2022.
• Benward, Bruce, and J. Timothy Kolosick. Ear Training: A Technique for Listening. 7th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
• Benward, Bruce, and Maureen Carr. Sight Singing Complete. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Berkowitz, Sol, Gabriel Frontrier, Perry Goldstein, and Edward Smaldone. A New Approach to Sight Singing. 7th edition. W. W. Norton, 2024.
• Hall, Anne Carothers. Studying Rhythm. 4th edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pearson, 2022.
• Horvit, Michael, Timothy Koozin, and Robert Nelson. Music for Ear Training. 4th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage, 2020.
• Karpinski, Gary S., and Richard Kram. Anthology for Sight Singing. 2nd edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2017.
• Karpinski, Gary S. Manual for Ear Training and Sight Singing. 2nd edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2021.
• Krueger, Carol. Progressive Sight Singing. 4th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2023.
• Merritt, Justin, and David Castro. Comprehensive Aural Skills. 2nd edition. London: Routledge, 2020.
• Marcozzi, Rudy. Strategies and Patterns for Ear Training. 1st edition. London: Routledge, 2016.
• Ottman, Robert W., and Nancy Rogers. Music for Sight Singing. 10th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2022.
• Phillips, Joel, Jane Piper Clendinning, Elizabeth West Marvin, and Paul Murphy. The Musician's Guide to Aural Skills, Vols. 1 & 2. 4th edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2021.

This annotated sample AP Music Theory syllabus shows how the curricular requirements can be demonstrated in a syllabus and what level of detail you’ll need to include.

AP Music Theory Sample Syllabus 1 (.pdf/664KB)

Review this document for help creating your syllabus.

Syllabus Development Guide: Music Theory (.pdf/162.61 KB)

This resource includes the guidelines reviewers use to evaluate syllabi along with three samples of evidence for each requirement. This guide also specifies the level of detail required in the syllabus to receive course authorization.