WAEC Music Syllabus 2026/2027 | Recommended Textbooks

Objective of the WAEC Music Syllabus 2026/2027

The primary aim of the 2026/2027 WAEC Music syllabus is to prepare candidates thoroughly for the examination while developing their intellectual, creative, and analytical abilities.

Specifically, the syllabus is designed to ensure that candidates can:

• Appreciate and discuss music critically and objectively

• Identify musical features across different periods of Western and African music

• Understand musical forms, styles, and media

• Analyze how culture, society, and technology influence music and musicians

By achieving these objectives, students are better equipped for higher education and professional engagement in music-related fields.

Detailed Breakdown of the WAEC Music Syllabus 2026/2027

1. Rudiments of Music

This section lays emphasis on the foundation for all musical understanding. Candidates are expected to master the following:

• The musical staff, including the great staff, ledger lines, and open scores

• Music notes, rests, and their time values

• Time signatures (simple and compound) and rhythmic grouping

• Key signatures and scales (major, minor, and chromatic)

• Accidentals and enharmonic equivalents

• Intervals and their classifications

• Musical signs, terms, and abbreviations

• Transcription between staff notation and tonic solfa

Students should be able to read, write, and interpret simple musical passages confidently.

2. Elementary Harmony

Elementary Harmony introduces students to chordal relationships and harmonic movement. Topics include:

• Triads and their inversions in major and minor keys

• Primary and secondary triads

• Chord symbols and Roman numeral analysis

• Basic chord progressions in four-part harmony (SATB)

• Dominant seventh chords

• Cadences (perfect, imperfect, plagal, and interrupted)

• Non-harmonic tones such as passing and neighboring notes

• Simple modulation to closely related keys

• Elementary composition and melodic phrasing

Candidates are expected to analyze harmony and demonstrate logical musical progression.

3. History and Literature of African Music

This section emphasizes African musical heritage and cultural expression. Candidates will study:

Nigerian Folksongs

• Types such as cradle songs, work songs, war songs, dirges, and praise songs

• Forms like call and response, strophic, and through-composed

• Characteristics including scales, rhythm, metre, and vocal styles

Festivals and Dances

• Major Nigerian festivals and ceremonial music

• Social, ritual, and ceremonial dances

Traditional Musical Instruments

• Aerophones

• Chordophones

• Idiophones

• Membranophones

Candidates must be able to classify instruments correctly and explain their cultural relevance.

African Traditional and Popular Musicians

Students will study the lives, music, and contributions of notable Nigerian and African musicians, both traditional and modern, including pioneers of highlife, afrobeat, juju, reggae, and hip-hop.

4. History and Literature of Western Music

Western music history is studied across major periods:

• Medieval

• Renaissance

• Baroque

• Classical

• Romantic

Candidates are expected to recognize the styles, characteristics, and key composers of each era, such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin.

This section also covers:

• Musical forms (sonata, rondo, theme and variation)

• Orchestral and band instruments

• The human voice and its classifications

• Keyboard and electronic instruments

• Computer music technology and notation software

5. Comparative Music Studies

This section connects African and Western music with global musical developments. Topics include:

• Influential Black musicians in the diaspora

• Global music genres such as jazz, reggae, soul, hip-hop, gospel, and afrobeat

• Nationalism in Nigerian music

Candidates should be able to analyze musical influence across cultures and assess music’s role in shaping identity and society.

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WAEC Music Syllabus 2026/2027 | Recommended Textbooks

To prepare effectively, candidates should study from approved and reliable textbooks from WAEC which , includes the following Textbooks:

• Foundation of Nigerian Traditional Music – S. E. Akpabot

• Rudiments and Theory of Music – ABRSM

• The Form of Music – W. Cole

• Nigerian Musical Instruments – W. W. C. Echezona

• Music: An Appreciation – Roger Kamien

• African Music – J. H. Nketia

• A Concise History of Music – W. Lovelock

Using these Textbooks alongside regular practice significantly improves exam performance and Preparations of Candidates.

Why You Should Take WAEC Music Seriously

WAEC Music is not just an academic subject; it builds discipline, creativity, cultural awareness, and analytical thinking. It also opens doors to careers in:

• Music performance and production

• Music education

• Sound engineering

• Arts administration

• Media and entertainment

For students passionate about music, this syllabus provides a strong academic and professional foundation.

 Preparation Tips for WAEC Music Examination for Candidates

• Study the syllabus topic by topic

• Practice sight-reading and aural skills regularly

• Listen to diverse African and Western music

• Learn basic music software and notation tools

• Use recommended textbooks consistently.

• Always visit WAEC Official E-learning Portal for Updated information https://www.waeconline.org.ng/

Conclusion

Candidates for the upcoming WAEC Examination should follow the WAEC Music Syllabus 2026/2027 | Recommended Textbooks in order to be on the right track during their Examination. We wish you Good luck as you prepare for the upcoming Exam, Cheer’s!!!