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JAMB Music Syllabus 2026/2027
Complete official UTME Music syllabus — all topics, sub-topics and JAMB learning objectives. Study what actually comes out, nothing extra.
5
Sections
60
Questions
JAMB Music Syllabus PDF
Official JAMB document • Free download
A · Rudiments of Music
B · Elementary Harmony
C · History and Literature of African Music
D · History and Literature of Western Music
E · Comparative Music Studies
Section A
A
Rudiments of Music
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1. The Staff
- Great staff
- Ledger lines and spaces
- Open score (vocal score)
- G clef (Treble), C clef (Alto, Tenor etc.) and F clef (Bass)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify all the components of the staff and their uses
2. Music Notes, Rests and Their Values
- Music notes and their corresponding values
- Rests and their corresponding values
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Determine the relative duration of different notes and rests and their applications
3. Time-Signature
- Simple time-signatures
- Compound time-signatures
- Correct grouping of notes
- Barring of unbarred passages
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Interpret varied rhythmic patterns
- Group and bar unbarred passages correctly
4. Key-Signatures and Scales
- Technical names of the various degrees of the scale
- Diatonic major scale
- Diatonic minor scales — natural, harmonic and melodic
- Chromatic scales
- Determination of the key of a piece of music with or without key signature (NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Ascertain names of the various degrees of the diatonic scales and keys
- Identify simple scale passages with or without key-signature
- Differentiate between diatonic and chromatic scales
5. Keyboard Setting and Accidentals
- Keyboard setting and enharmonic equivalents
- Accidentals
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the names of the white and black keys and their relationship (e.g. C sharp = D flat)
- State the function of the accidentals
6. Intervals
- Recognition of diatonic and chromatic intervals and their inversions
- Perfect intervals — unison, 4th, 5th, octave
- Major and minor 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th
- Diminished 5th and augmented 4th
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Determine different qualities of intervals — melodic and harmonic — and their inversions
7. Musical Terms, Signs and Abbreviations
- Definition of simple musical terms
- Signs and abbreviations
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Interpret 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
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Read music in any given notation both in staff and solfa notations
- Rewrite a music passage on a given stave
- Transcribe from staff notation to solfa notation
Section B
B
Elementary Harmony
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1. Triads and Their Inversions
- Triads and their inversions in major and minor keys NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats
- Primary triads in major keys (I, IV and V)
- Secondary triads in major keys (ii, iii and vi)
- Chord indications — major triads (Roman numerals), minor triads (small Roman numerals), diminished triads (small Roman numerals with "o"), augmented triads (capital numerals with "+")
- Harmonic minor key triads — minor (i, iv), major (V, VI), diminished (ii°, vii°), augmented (III+)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify triads and their inversions in both major and minor keys
- Compare types of triads
- Determine the use of triads
2. Basic 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
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Determine the basic chord progressions in a music passage
- Recognise the dominant 7th chord
3. Kinds of Motion
- Parallel motion
- Similar motion
- Contrary motion
- Oblique motion
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the various kinds of motion in a musical passage
- Differentiate between the various motions
4. Cadences
- Perfect / full close cadence
- Imperfect / half close / semi cadence
- Plagal / Amen cadence
- Interrupted / deceptive / evaded / surprise cadence
- Cadences in major keys NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the various types of cadences in a musical score
- Analyse the various types of cadences and their resolutions
5. Non-Harmonic Tones
- Neighbouring tones / auxiliary notes
- Passing tones / notes
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Relate harmonic or non-harmonic tones to the chords with which they are associated
6. Modulation
- Simple diatonic modulations using a single melodic line
- From any given major key NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats to its closely related keys (dominant and subdominant)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Determine the key of a given melody and its modulation
7. Elementary Composition
- Setting of words to written melody
- Recognition of suitable answers to given musical phrases
- Two-part free counterpoint
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify suitable melody to given words, compatible, balanced or contrasting phrases
- Identify the basic rules of two-part writing (counterpoint)
Section C
C
History and Literature of African Music
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1. Nigerian Folksongs — Types, Forms and Characteristics
- Types — cradle, folk-tales, games, war, satirical, dirges/funeral, historical, praise and work songs etc.
- Forms — call and response, strophic, through-composed, antiphony etc.
- Vocal styles — recitative, yodelling, ululation, incantation, heaving, whistling, nasalisation etc.
- Scales/modes — tritonic, tetratonic, pentatonic, hexatonic etc.
- Metre/Rhythm — metric and non-metric, polymetric, cross-rhythm, syncopation, hemiola, polyrhythm etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify various folksongs and their types
- Define and compare their forms and features
- Mention some characteristic features of vocal, scale and rhythmic styles in African music
2. Features and Forms of Nigerian Traditional Music and Other Arts
- Festivals — Osun, Ifa, Ogun, Ekpo, Ofala, Iri Ji (New Yam Festival), Ovia Osese, Mmanwu (Masquerade), Ila-Oso, Argungu (Fishing), Eyo/Adamu Orisa, Gelede etc.
- Dances and other arts — Social, Ritual and Ceremonial e.g. Masquerade, Koroso, Atilogwu, Ikperikpe (war dance), Egedeege, Kwaghir, Agbon, Nkwa Umuagbogho, Bata, Bori, Swange, Dundun, Kokoma, Abigbo, Okonko etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Analyse the features and forms of Nigerian traditional music and the arts
- Differentiate between the various types of festivals and dances and their origin
- Identify the relationship between music, dance and drama in African festivals
3. Nigerian Traditional Musical Instruments
- Aerophones — kakaki, algaita, sarewa, pedete, obati, farai, kaho, imar, mongom, taluk, damalgo; oja, opi, pipilo, udu, nnuk, ofiom, akpele; ekutu, teremagbe, ayeta-ode, odikakora etc.
- Chordophones — goge, kukuma, komo, kwamsa, kuntigi, lasha, molo, garaya, gurmi; une, ubo-akwara; goje, molo etc.
- Idiophones — 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, eromwon etc.
- Membranophones — ganga, tambari, taushi, banga, balle, kuntuku, kalangu, gangan-noma, tandu; igba, nsing, ban yogume, emoba; ipese, igbin, bata, bembe, gudugudu, kanango, dundun, gangan etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the characteristic features of the classes of musical instruments
- Classify them into their categories
- Trace their origin
4. Lives and Music of African Traditional Musicians
- Nigerians — 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, Haruna Uji; Ezigbo Obiligbo, Seven-Seven, Morocco Maduka, Okechukwu Nwatu, Mike Ejeagha, Afam Ogbuotobo; Kokoro (the blind minstrel), Anikura, Tunde Alao, Olanrewaju Adepoju, Ademola Onibonokuta, Elemure Ogunyemi, Comfort Omoge etc.
- Other Africans — Vinoko Akpalu, Daniel Amponsah (alias Koo Nimo), Efua Basa, Kwaa Mensah etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify different groups to which various musicians belong
- Trace their biographies
- Mention their musical styles
- Assess their contributions to the music industry
5. Evolution and Development of African Popular Music
- Genres — Highlife, Juju, Afro-beat, Fuji, Apala, Reggae, Makosa, Ikwokirikwo, Okukuseku, Ekassa, Akuko na egwu, Awurebe, Waka, Hiplife, Hip-hop etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate one musical genre from another
- Examine their influence on society
6. Lives and Music of African Popular Musicians
- Nigerians — 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, Rude Boy (Paul Okoye), Mr. P (Peter Okoye), 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, Nasir Hausawa etc.
- Other Africans — Manu Dibango, E. T. Mensah, Jerry Hansen, Kofi Olomide, Awilo Logomba, Papa Wemba, Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Lucky Dube, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Brenda Fassie, Sarkodie etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Relate the musicians to the music they perform
- Trace their biographies
- Examine their type of music
- Assess their contributions to the development of music
7. Lives and Music of African Art Musicians
- Nigerians — 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, Meki Nzewi, Solomon Ikibe, Idolor E.G., Femi Adedeji, Anthony Mereni, A. A. Layade etc.
- Other Africans — Joseph S. Maison, N. Z. Nayo, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Gymah Labi, Philip Gbeho, Ephraim Amu, C. K. Adom, A. A. Mensah, C. W. K. Mereku, A. A. Agordoh, J. O. Ofosu, S. G. Boateng etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Relate the art composers to their compositions
- Trace their biographies
- Examine their type of compositions
- Assess their contributions to the development of art Music Education in Nigeria
Section D
D
History and Literature of Western Music
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1. Historical Development of Western Music Styles
- Medieval / Middle Age (800–1400)
- Renaissance period (1400–1600)
- Baroque period (1600–1750)
- Classical period (1750–1820)
- Romantic period (1820–1900)
- 20th Century (1900–1999)
- Key composers — Palestrina, Claudio Monteverdi, Henry Purcell, J. S. Bach, G. F. Handel, W. A. Mozart, Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Zoltan Kodaly, Claude Debussy etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the various periods with dates from Medieval to 20th century
- Trace the stages of the development of western musical practice from the medieval to the end of the 20th century
- Identify the composers and assess their contributions
2. Music Forms and Media
- Forms — Binary, Ternary, Rondo, Sonata Allegro, Dance Suite, Canon, Free Fantasia, Theme and Variation etc.
- Orchestral and band instruments and their classifications
- The human voice — types, ranges and qualities
- Keyboard instruments — the organ, piano, electronic keyboard etc.
- Other instruments — ukulele, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harp, accordion, xylophone, marimba etc.
- Computer Music Technology — software (Finale, Sibelius, Cubase, Reason, Sound Forge, Nero), tuning fork, pitch pipe etc.
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Music Technology — meaning, evolutionary trend, historical background, types, application of AI tools in music composition, AI-powered music generators etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the general forms and various types of instruments in Western music
- Relate Music to modern technology
- Assess the contributions of AI in music
Section E
E
Comparative Music Studies
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1. Black Musicians in the Diaspora
- 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, Beyoncé, 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, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Cliff, Diana Ross etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the musicians in the diaspora by their names and works
- Assess their individual musical influences on the global society
2. Musical Genres and Forms
- African-American spiritual, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock 'n' roll, reggae, afro-beat, tango, rap, cha-cha-cha, bolero, twist, hip-hop etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the various forms of musical genres
- Trace the origins of the musical genres
3. The Spirit of Nationalism in Nigerian Music
- One Love — Onyeka Onwenu
- Which Way Nigeria? — Sonny Okosun
- First National Anthem: Nigeria We Hail Thee — Frances Brenda (1960–1978)
- Second National Anthem: Arise Oh Compatriots — Ben Odiase (1978–2025)
- Current National Anthem: Nigeria We Hail Thee — Frances Brenda (2025 till date)
- Nigeria for All — Sunny Ade
- Nigeria Go Survive — Veno Marioghae etc.
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the nationalistic composers by their names and works
- Identify some of the features and materials used by nationalist composers to create, project and sustain cultural and patriotic awareness
- Assess their roles in Nigerian nationalism
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Now Practice JAMB Music Past Questions
Reading the syllabus is step one. The fastest way to score high is to practice real past questions from every year — with instant answers and explanations.
Practice Music Past Questions →📚 JAMB Recommended Textbooks
These are the official books listed by JAMB for Music preparation:
📖 Adesipe, A. E. (2025) — Essential Music for Senior Secondary Schools with Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Tonad Publishers, Mowe Ibafo, Ogun State (also available on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing)
📖 Adesipe, A. E. (2025) — Artificial Intelligence in African Music and Instrumental Technology, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
📖 Adesipe, A. E. (2024) — History of Nigerian Folksongs, ADLEK Printing Press, Ilorin, Kwara State (also available on Selar)
📖 Adesipe, A. E. (2024) — Nigerian Festivals and Traditional Instruments, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (also available on Selar)
📖 Adesipe, A. E. (2025) — African Music and Instrumental Technology, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
📖 Akpabot, S. E. (1986) — Foundation of Traditional Music, Spectrum Books, Ibadan
📖 Agu, C. C. (1999) — Forms and Analysis of African Music, New Generation Books, Enugu
📖 Echezona, W. W. C. (1981) — Nigerian Musical Instruments, Apollo Publishing Ltd., Enugu
📖 Ekwueme, Lucy U. (2007) — Songs for Happy Little People, West African Book Publishers, Lagos
📖 Hosier (1961) — Instruments of the Orchestra, Oxford University Press, Oxford
📖 Kamien, Roger (2008) — Music: An Appreciation, McGraw-Hill, New York
📖 Kennedy, M. (1985) — The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press, London
📖 Kitson, C. H. (1978) — Elementary Harmony Book 2, Oxford University Press, London
📖 Kofoworola, Z. O. and Lateef, Y. (1987) — Hausa Performing Arts and Music, Nigeria Magazine, Lagos
📖 Mensah, A. A. (undated) — Folksongs for Schools, Accra
📖 Mensah, I. T. (1990) — Understanding Music, Books 1–3, Otuamic Publications
📖 Nketia, J. H. K. (1973) — African Music in Ghana / Folksongs of Ghana, University Press, Accra
📖 Osunniyi, J. A. (1994) — An Easy Way to Learning Music, Jac-Ola Printing Press, Lagos
📖 Robert Manford et al (1990) — Music for Senior Secondary Schools, H. Gangaram, Bombay
📖 Vidal, A. O. (2012) — Selected Topics on Nigerian Music, Imef African Music Publishers, Ile-Ife
Common Questions 🤔
JAMB Music has five sections: Section A (Rudiments of Music), Section B (Elementary Harmony), Section C (History and Literature of African Music), Section D (History and Literature of Western Music), and Section E (Comparative Music Studies). Sections A and B test music theory, while C, D and E test history, culture and appreciation.
The most important theory topics are: the staff and clefs, note and rest values, time-signatures, key-signatures and scales (major, minor and chromatic), intervals, triads and their inversions, the four types of cadences, chord progressions in SATB style, modulation to closely related keys, and transcription between staff and tonic solfa notation. These appear consistently across JAMB Music papers.
Section C is the most extensive section and covers Nigerian folksongs (types, forms and vocal/rhythmic characteristics), Nigerian traditional festivals and dances, the four classes of traditional instruments (aerophones, chordophones, idiophones and membranophones), and the lives and music of traditional, popular and art musicians from Nigeria and other African countries.
Section D covers six historical periods: Medieval/Middle Age (800–1400), Renaissance (1400–1600), Baroque (1600–1750), Classical (1750–1820), Romantic (1820–1900), and 20th Century (1900–1999). You must know the key composers of each period as well as major musical forms and instrument families.
Yes. Section D now includes an introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Music Technology, covering its meaning, historical background, types and application of AI tools in music composition, and AI-powered music generators. Computer music software such as Finale, Sibelius, Cubase, Reason and Sound Forge is also tested.
The five-section structure of the Music syllabus has remained stable, but the syllabus now includes Artificial Intelligence in Music Technology under Section D and updated lists of musicians. Always practise past questions from 2023 onwards and ensure you are using the most recent recommended textbooks.