WAEC Syllabus for Music
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the syllabus for Music, giving candidates preparing for the examination a clear guide on the topics they are expected to study.
Candidates should use the WAEC Syllabus for Music as a reading guide throughout their preparation. It covers areas such as Rudiments of Music, Elementary Harmony, the History and Literature of African Music, Western Music and Comparative Music Studies.
In this article, you will find the complete WAEC Music syllabus arranged by section, followed by the recommended textbooks candidates can use alongside the syllabus for their studies.
WAEC Music Syllabus
The WAEC Music syllabus covers areas such as rudiments of music, elementary harmony, African music, Western music and comparative music studies. Candidates should use the syllabus as a guide when preparing for the examination and make sure they cover all the topics listed below.
Section A: Rudiments of Music
| Topic | Contents/Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. The Staff | Great staff; ledger lines and spaces; open score (vocal score); C clef, alto (viola clef) and tenor clef. |
| 2. Music Notes and Rests | Music notes, rests and their corresponding values. |
| 3. Time/Time Signature | Simple and compound time signatures; correct grouping of notes; barring of unbarred passages. |
| 4. Key Signatures and Scales | Technical names of the various degrees of the scale; diatonic major and minor scales, including natural, harmonic and melodic minor; chromatic scales. |
| Determination of Key | Determining the key of a piece of music with or without a key signature, not exceeding two sharps and two flats. |
| 5. Keyboard Setting and Accidentals | Keyboard setting; enharmonic equivalents; accidentals. |
| 6. Intervals | Recognition of diatonic and chromatic intervals and their inversions, including perfect unison, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, perfect 8ve, major/minor 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th, diminished 5th and augmented 4th. |
| Consonance and Dissonance | Recognition of consonant and dissonant intervals. |
| 7. Musical Terms and Signs | Simple musical terms, signs and abbreviations. |
| 8. Transcription and Transposition | Transcription of music from staff into tonic solfa notation and vice versa; transposition using the treble (G) and bass (F) staves, not exceeding two sharps and two flats. |
Section B: Elementary Harmony
| Topic | Contents/Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Triads and Inversions | Triads and their inversions in major and minor keys, not exceeding two sharps and two flats. |
| Primary Triads | Primary triads in major keys. In major scales, these are I, IV and V; in harmonic minor scales, they are i, iv and V. |
| Secondary Triads | Secondary triads in major keys. Major triads are indicated with capital Roman numerals, minor triads with small Roman numerals, diminished triads with a small Roman numeral and “o”, and augmented triads with a capital numeral and “+”. |
| Harmonic Minor Triads | In harmonic minor, minor triads are i and iv; major triads are V and VI; diminished triads are iio and viio; and the augmented triad is III+. |
| 2. Chord Progressions | Basic chord progressions in four-part vocal style (SATB) in major keys, not exceeding two sharps and two flats; dominant 7th chord in root position only. |
| 3. Kinds of Motion | Parallel, similar, contrary and oblique motion. |
| 4. Cadences | Perfect/full close cadence; imperfect/half close/semi cadence; plagal/Amen cadence; interrupted/deceptive/evaded/surprise cadence. |
| 5. Non-Harmonic Tones | Identification and application of neighbouring tones/auxiliary notes and passing tones/notes. |
| 6. Modulation | Simple diatonic modulations using a single melodic line from any given major key, not exceeding two sharps and two flats, to closely related keys, including the dominant and subdominant. |
| 7. Elementary Composition | Setting of words to a written melody; recognition of suitable answers to given musical phrases. |
Section C: History and Literature of African Music
| Topic | Contents/Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Nigerian Folksongs | Types, forms and characteristics of Nigerian folksongs. Types include cradle, folk-tales, games, war, satirical, dirges/funeral, historical, praise and worksongs. Forms include call and response, strophic, through-composed and antiphony. |
| Characteristics of Nigerian Folksongs | Vocal styles such as recitative, yodeling, ululation, incantation, heaving, whistling and nasalisation; scales/modes such as tritonic, tetratonic, pentatonic and hexatonic; metric and non-metric rhythm, polymetric, cross rhythm, syncopation, hemiola and polyrhythm. |
| 2. Nigerian Traditional Music and Other Arts | Features and forms of Nigerian traditional music and other arts. Festivals include Osun, Ifa, Ogun, Ekpo, Ofala, Iriji (New Yam Festival), Ovia, Osese, Mmanwu (Masquerade), Ila-Oso, Argungu (Fishing), Eyo/Adamu-Orisa and Gelede. |
| Dances and Other Arts | Social, ritual and ceremonial dances and arts, including Masquerade, Koroso, Atilogwu, Ikperikpe (War dance), Egedeege, Kwaghir, Agbon, Nkwa Umuagbogho, Bata, Bori, Swange, Dundun, Kokoma, Abigbo and Okonko. |
| 3. Nigerian Traditional Musical Instruments | Study of Nigerian traditional musical instruments and their classifications. |
| Aerophones | Instruments include kakaki, algaita, sarewa, pedete, obati, farai, kaho, imar, mongom, taluk, damalgo, oja, opi, pipilo, udu, nnuk, ofiom, akpele, ekutu, teremagbe, ayeta-ode and odikakora. |
| Chordophones | Instruments include goge, kukuma, komo, kwamsa, kuntigi, lasha, molo, garaya, gurmi, une, ubo-akwara and goje. |
| Idiophones | Instruments include kundung, karawa, shantu, oyo, ichaka, ogene, aja, ekpili, ekwe, udu, ikoro, ngedegwu, okpokoro, ekere, mgbiligba, alo, ubo-aka, sekere, agogo, agidigbo, alọ, oma, aro, ukuse and eromwon. |
| Membranophones | Instruments include ganga, tambari, taushi, banga, balle, kuntuku, kalangu, gangan-noma, tandu, igba, nsing, ban yogume, emoba, ipese, igbin, bata, bembe, gudugudu, kanango and dundun. |
| 4. African Traditional Musicians | Lives and music of Nigerian traditional musicians including Sani Sabulu, Sani Dan Indo, Hassan Wayam, Barmani Coge, Danlami Nasarawa, Garba Super, Dankwairo, Aminu mai Asharalle, Shehu Ajilo, Dan Maraya Jos, Dan Alalo, Mamman Shata and Haruna Uji. |
| Other Nigerian Traditional Musicians | Ezigbo Obiligbo, Seven-Seven, Morocco Maduka, Okechukwu Nwatu, Mike Ejeagha, Afam Ogbuotobo, Kokoro, Anikura, Tunde Alao, Olanrewaju Adepoju, Ademola Onibon-okuta, Elemure Ogunyemi and Comfort Omoge. |
| Other African Traditional Musicians | Vinoko Akpalu, Daniel Amponsah (Koo Nimo), Efua Basa and Kwaa Mensah. |
| 5. African Popular Music | Evolution and development of Highlife, Juju, Afro-beat, Fuji, Apala, Reggae, Makosa, Ikwokirikwo, Okukuseku, Ekassa, Akuko na egwu, Awurebe, Waka, Hiplife and Hiphop. |
| 6. African Popular Musicians | Lives and music of Nigerian musicians including Bongos Ikwe, Oliver De Coque, Nelly Uchendu, Osita Osadebe, Bright Chimezie, Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo, Sonny Okosun, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, I. K. Dairo, Victor Olaiya, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Bala Miller, Alhaji Uba Rawa, Zaaki Adzee, 2Face, PSquare, Djnee, Paul Play Dairo, Eedris Abdulkareem, D’Banj, Sunny Neji, Lagbaja, Zule Zoo, Daddy Showkey, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Jeremiah Gyang, Flavour, Olamide, M.I, Iyanya, Wizkid, Davido, Omawunmi, Lara George, Sola Allynson, Ara, Asa, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Nasir Hausawa. |
| Other African Popular Musicians | Manu Dibango, E. T. Mensah, Jerry Hansen, Kofi Olomide, Awilo Logomba, Papa Wemba, Salif Kaita, Angelina Kidjo, Lucky Dube, Yvonne Chakachaka, Brenda Fasie and Sarkodie. |
| 7. African Art Musicians | Nigerian musicians including W. W. C. Echezona, Laz Ekwueme, Sam Akpabot, Ikoli Harcourt Whyte, Joshua Uzoigwe, Mosun Omibiyi-Obidike, Tunji Vidal, Ademola Adegbite, Yemi Olaniyan, Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Sam Ojukwu, A. K. Achinivu, Bode Omojola, Felix Nwuba, Christopher Oyesiku, Dayo Dedeke, Adams Fiberesima, Dan Agu, Chris Onyeji, Godwin Sadoh and Meki Nzewi. |
| Other African Art Musicians | Joseph S. Maison, N. Z. Nayo, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Gymah Labi, Philip Gbeho, Ephraim Amu, C.K. Adom, A.A. Mensah and C.W.K. Mereku. |
Section D: History and Literature of Western Music
| Topic | Contents/Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Historical Development of Western Music | Medieval/Middle Age (800–1400); Renaissance (1400–1600); Baroque (1600–1750); Classical (1750–1820); Romantic (1820–1900). |
| Composers | Palestrina, Claudio Monteverdi, Henry Purcell, J.S. Bach, G. F. Handel, W. A. Mozart, Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert and Frederic Chopin. |
| 2. Music Forms and Media | Binary, Ternary, Rondo, Sonata Allegro, Dance Suite, Canon, Free Fantasia, Theme and Variation. |
| Orchestral and Band Instruments | Orchestral and band instruments and their classifications. |
| The Human Voice | Types, ranges and qualities of the human voice. |
| Keyboard Instruments | Organ, piano and electronic keyboard. |
| Other Instruments | Ukulele, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harp, accordion, xylophone, marimba and others. |
| Computer Music Technology | Music software including Finale, Sibelius, Cubase, Reason, Sound Forge and Nero; tuning fork and pitch pipe. |
Section E: Comparative Music Studies
| Topic | Contents/Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Black Musicians in the Diaspora | Overview of black musicians, including composers and performers such as Mighty Sparrow, James Brown, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, Kirk Franklin, Tupac Shakur, Shabba Ranks, Quincy Jones, Boyz II Men, Sean Paul, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Brandy, Usher, Kevin Lyttle, Bobby Brown, M. C. Hammer, L. L. Cool J., Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Neo and Rihanna. |
| 2. Musical Forms and Genres | Spirituals, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock ’n’ roll, reggae, afro-beat, tango, rap, chachacha, bolero, twist and hip-hop. |
| 3. Nationalism in Nigerian Music | The spirit of nationalism in Nigerian music, including features and materials used by nationalist composers to create, project and sustain cultural and patriotic awareness. |
Recommended Texts
The following books are listed as recommended texts for the Music syllabus:
- Adesipe, E.A. (2021). Nigerian Festivals and Traditional Instruments. Amazon-Kindle Direct Publications.
- Akpabot, S. E. (1986). Foundation of Nigerian Traditional Music. Ibadan: Spectrum.
- Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (1958). Rudiments and Theory of Music. London.
- Cole, W. (1969). The Form of Music. London: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
- Echezona, W. W. C. (1981). Nigerian Musical Instruments. Enugu: Apollo Publishing Ltd.
- Ekwueme, L. (1993). Choir Training and Choral Conducting for Africans. Lagos: Lenaus Advertising and Publishing Company.
- Holst, I. (1963). An ABC of Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Hosier (1961). Instruments of the Orchestra. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Hunt, R. (1960). Elements of Music.
- Inanga, A. (1993). Music for Secondary Schools, Vols. I and II. Ibadan: Spectrum.
- Kamien, R. (1990). Music: An Appreciation. London: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company.
- Kennedy, M. (1985). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music, 3rd Edition. London: Oxford University Press.
- Kitson, C. H. (1978). Elementary Harmony Book 2. London: Oxford University Press.
- Kofoworola, Z. O. and Lateef, Y. (1987). Hausa Performing Arts and Music. Lagos: Nigeria Magazine.
- Lovelock, W. (1953). A Concise History of Music. London: Bell and Hyman.
- Lovelock, W. (1996). The Rudiments of Music. London: G. Bell and Sons Limited.
- Machlis, J. (1977). The Enjoyment of Music. New York: W. W. Norton.
- Mensah, A. A. (Undated). Folksongs for Schools. Accra.
- Morris, R. O. (1974). The Oxford Harmony, Vol. I. London: Oxford University Press.
- Nketia, J. H. (1974). African Music. New York: W. W. Norton Company.
- Palmer, K. (1965). Teach Yourself Music. London: The English University Press Limited.
- Reed, H. O. (1954). Basic Music: A Basic Theory Text. New York: N. Y. Mills Music Inc.
- Taylor, E. (1989). The Guide to Music Theory. London: The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.
- Warburton, A. O. (1955). Graded Music Course for Schools, Books I–III. London: Longman.
- I. T. Mensah (1990). Understanding Music, Books 1–3. Africana-Fep Publishers Limited, Bamenda, NW Province, Cameroon.
- Osunniyi, J. A. (1994). An Easy Way to Learning Music. Jac-Ola Printing Press, Lagos.
Candidates preparing for the Music examination should study the syllabus carefully and make sure they cover all the topics listed. The recommended texts can also be used alongside the syllabus to gain a better understanding of the different areas and prepare adequately for the examination.
You can also share this post with other candidates who are preparing for the examination. Check our page for more WAEC syllabi, recommended texts, and other useful examination resources.
