The JAMB Syllabus For Music 2026 Is out now!!! There is something unique about the subject of Music; it is a subject that requires both disciplined study and constant listening/practical practice.
This article is here to provide you basically with the official JAMB syllabus for music, and to give you some study tips and helpful strategies that will be of great importance in preparing for the 2026/2027 JAMB examination music subject.
What Is The JAMB Syllabus for Music and Where Do I Get It?
The JAMB Music syllabus is the official list of topics from which JAMB/UTME questions are drawn from. This syllabus is available for download in PDF format from JAMB official website which is the most reliable source, though it is be available on other educational websites because these sites republish the syllabus with an intention to give a clear breakdown on each topic for students.
During this course, it original syllabus is exposed to the risk of being altered or modified so it most advised and trusted to download the PDF version from the IBASS portal/JAMB website. However, contained in this article is the list of the topics for Music in JAMB 202/2027 UTME.
Structure Of The Music Syllabus & What JAMB Expects:
The JAMB Music syllabus is grouped into its major areas as follows;
- Rudiments of Music/Music Theory: This section contains notation, staff, time signatures, keys, scales, intervals, chords, rhythm, melodic and harmonic functions.
- History and Literature of Music: Western music history (periods, composers, styles), Nigerian/African music history, hymnody and church music traditions.
- Nigerian (and African) Traditional Music: forms, instruments, functions of music in society, performance practices and oral traditions.
- Practical Music/Performance: sight-reading, aural tests, vocal and instrumental practice, ensemble skills.
- Elementary Harmony & Composition: basic harmonic progression, cadences, part-writing principles at an elementary level.
- Music Appreciation/Listening: analysis of short extracts, timbre, texture, form, and expressive features.
- Music Technology & Applications: basic studio concepts, notation software, recording principles.
JAMB Syllabus for Music 2026/2027
Section A: Rudiments of Music
| Topic | Content | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Staff | – Great staff – Ledger lines and spaces – Open score (vocal score) – C clef (alto and tenor) | Identify all components of the staff and their applications. |
| 2. Music Notes and Rests | – Notes and rests with corresponding values | Determine the relative duration of different notes and rests. |
| 3. Time/Time Signature | – Simple and compound time signatures – Correct grouping of notes – Barring of unbarred passages | Interpret various rhythmic patterns in monotone. |
| 4. Key Signatures and Scales | – Diatonic major/minor (natural, harmonic, melodic) – Names of scale degrees – Determination of key (not exceeding two sharps/flats) | Identify simple scale passages with or without key signatures. |
| 5. Keyboard Settings and Enharmonic Equivalents | – White and black keys – Accidentals | Identify names of keys and their relationships (e.g., C♯ = D♭). |
| 6. Intervals | – Recognition of diatonic intervals and their inversions (e.g., perfect unison, 4th, 5th, 8th; major/minor 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th; diminished 5th; augmented 4th) | Determine different qualities of intervals (melodic and harmonic). |
| 7. Musical Terms and Expressions | – Definitions of simple musical terms, abbreviations, and expressions | Interpret simple musical terms. |
| 8. Transcription and Transposition | – Transcription between staff and tonic solfa notation – Transposition using treble (G) and bass (F) staves (not exceeding two sharps/flats) | Transcribe and transpose musical pieces accurately. |
Section B: Elementary Harmony
| Topic | Content | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Triads and Inversions | – Primary and secondary triads in major keys (not exceeding two sharps/flats) – Chord indications using Roman numerals | Identify and compare types of triads; determine their use. |
| 2. Chord Progressions | – Basic chord progressions in four-part vocal style (SATB) – Dominant 7th chord in root position | Determine basic chord progressions in a music passage. |
| 3. Kinds of Motion | – Parallel, similar, contrary, and oblique motions | Identify various kinds of motion in a musical passage. |
| 4. Cadences | – Perfect, imperfect, plagal, and interrupted cadences in major keys (not exceeding two sharps/flats) | Identify various types of cadences in a musical score. |
| 5. Non-Harmonic Tones | – Neighbouring tones, passing tones, anticipation, acciaccatura, suspension, escape tones | Relate non-harmonic tones to associated chords. |
| 6. Modulation | – Simple diatonic modulations to closely related keys (dominant and subdominant) | Determine modulations in given melodies. |
| 7. Elementary Composition | – Setting words to written melodies – Recognition of suitable answers to musical phrases | Compose melodies that are compatible and balanced. |
Section C: History and Literature of African Music
| Topic | Content | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Nigerian Folksongs | – Types, forms, and characteristics | Understand the diversity and features of Nigerian folksongs. |
| 2. Traditional Music and Arts | – Features and forms of Nigerian traditional music – Festivals, dances, and other arts | Appreciate the integration of music with other cultural expressions. |
| 3. Traditional Musical Instruments | – Classification and characteristics | Identify and classify Nigerian traditional musical instruments. |
| 4. African Traditional Musicians | – Lives and music of notable musicians, focusing on Nigerian artists | Recognize the contributions of traditional musicians to African music. |
| 5. Evolution of African Popular Music | – Development and characteristics | Trace the evolution and features of African popular music. |
| 6. African Popular Musicians | – Lives and music of prominent artists | Acknowledge the impact of African popular musicians. |
| 7. African Art Musicians | – Contributions to music | Understand the roles of African art musicians in music development. |
Section D: History and Literature of Western Music
| Topic | Content | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Historical Development of Western Music Styles | – Periods: Medieval (800–1400), Renaissance (1400–1600), Baroque (1600–1750), Classical (1750–1820), Romantic (1820–1900) | Identify characteristics and developments of Western music periods. |
| 2. Composers | – Notable composers from each period | Recognize significant composers and their contributions. |
| 3. Music Forms and Media | – Various forms and mediums used in Western music | Understand different forms and media in Western music history. |
Section E: Comparative Music Studies
| Topic | Content | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Black Musicians in the Diaspora | – Overview of composers and performers such as Mighty Sparrow, James Brown, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and others | Appreciate the contributions of black musicians globally. |
| 2. Musical Forms | – Spirituals, gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, afrobeat, tango, rap, chachacha, bolero, twist, hip-hop | Identify and differentiate various musical forms. |
| 3. Nationalism in Nigerian Music | – Spirit and expression of nationalism through music | Understand how music reflects and promotes national identity. |
Download The JAMB Syllabus for Music 2026 PDF
How To Use The JAMB Syllabus for Music Effectively
- Download the official PDF from IBASS/JAMB portal and read it so as to have a clue of what topics you will be reading. When doing this, note down unfamiliar topics.
- Make the syllabus into a checklist and mark/tick off topics as you study them.
- Relate theoretical knowledge with practice. For instance, when you study intervals, practice it with ear-training apps.
- Make a daily routine of listening to music pieces.
- Study with past questions. This is most effective with simulated software or mobile applications that provide those questions in a timed condition. This will help candidates acquaint themselves not only with the UTME question style, but to also prepare them to work with time.
- Participate in group study & teaching. Whenever you teach a concept, it solidifies your own understanding of it. This study group must not necessarily be physical but virtual (online through the use of social media).
- Seek the help of an experience teacher of music even an online tutor. Some concepts might not be easy to grasp when you teach yourself.
How does JAMB Frame Music Questions In UTME?
JAMB UTME questions for Music are multiple-choice and they usually test you on:
- Knowledge and definition (e.g., “Which instrument is an idiophone?”).
- Identification (e.g., identify the key signature, interval, or cadence).
- Application (e.g., complete a chord progression, identify the composer by stylistic trait).
- Listening-based (where available: identify texture/form/timbre from an excerpt).
- Contextual/cultural (function of music in society, instrument classification in Nigerian contexts).
What Topics Should I Prioritize for a Maximum Score In JAMB Music 2026?
From reviewing the syllabus and past question patterns, the topics below are to be prioritized and studied early before moving unto the others:
- Rudiments of Music: notes, rests, clefs, time/key signatures, intervals. (Many low-to-medium difficulty MCQs.)
- Nigerian/African Traditional Music: instrument families and functions of music in society (frequent cultural/identification questions).
- Elementary Harmony (triads, cadences): straightforward concept questions.
- Music History & Literature (period identification, composer traits): simple matching questions.
- Aural/Listening: where present, these are usually lower-weight but can be quick wins if practiced.
JAMB Music Exam-Day Tips
- Carry along your examination slip which serves as your ID card along with other exam essentials like pencil, eraser, sharpener etc.
- Ensure you know the exam center beforehand and arrive early. You will not want to miss the exam you have so prepared for on the account of late coming.
- Management time properly. During the examination, you will be given limited time (2 hours). Therefore, answer the question s you know first and then return to the harder ones.
- For hard questions, you can employ the elimination technique. Eliminate impossible choices before guessing. This will increase your chance of scoring a hard question.
- Do not cram new complex topics on the exam day. Rather, revise what you have read already.
Conclusion
Music is both intellectually and practically demanding. It requires you to combine solid theoretical knowledge with consistent and disciplined practice and listening to obtain a high score in JAMB.
Do not ignore the place of the syllabus and past questions. They are your tools to achieving a great JAMB score. Study a great deal of past questions, as much as you can.
We wish you all the best!