Are you preparing for the 2025/2026 JAMB Music exam? Check out our comprehensive guide on the JAMB areas of concentration for Music to help you focus your studies and increase your chances of success.
JAMB Areas of Concentration for Music 2025/2026
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam is a crucial test for students seeking admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The Music section is an integral part of the exam, accounting for a significant portion of the total score. As such, it’s essential that candidates prepare thoroughly for this section in order to maximize their chances of success. That’s where our guide to JAMB Areas of Concentration for Music 2025/2026 comes in.
In this guide, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key topics and concepts students should focus on to excel in the Music section of the JAMB exam.
Whether you’re a seasoned student or just starting out, our guide will provide the tools and knowledge you need to succeed on exam day. So if you’re looking to boost your performance on the JAMB exam, read on to learn more about our guide to JAMB Areas of Concentration for Music 2025/2026.
Here are the topics and areas of concentration for the Jamb 2025 Music exam:
SECTION A: RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC
- The Staff
- Music Notes/Rests and their corresponding values
- Time/Time Signature
- A – Key signatures and scales, B – Determination of the key of a piece of music with or without key signature NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
- (a) Keyboard setting and enharmonic equivalents, (b) Accidentals
- Intervals
- Definition of simple musical terms, signs, and abbreviations.
- (a) Transcription of music from staff into tonic solfa notation and vice-versa. (b) Transposition using the treble (G) and bass (F) staves NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
SECTION B: ELEMENTARY HARMONY
- Triads and their inversions in major/minor keys
- Basic chord progressions in four parts
- Kinds of motion
- Cadences in major keys
- Non-harmonic tones / Non-chord tones
- Modulation
- Elementary Composition
SECTION C: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF AFRICAN MUSIC
- Nigerian folksongs, types, forms, and characteristics.
- General knowledge of the features and forms of Nigerian traditional music and other arts, including festivals, dances, and other arts.
- Nigerian traditional musical instruments and their classifications.
- Knowledge of the lives and music of African traditional musicians, with a focus on Nigerian musicians.
- Evolution and Development of African Popular Music
- Knowledge of the lives and music of the African Popular Musicians
- Knowledge of the lives and music of the African Art Musicians
SECTION D: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF WESTERN MUSIC
- (A) Historical development of Western music styles in respect of the periods, B. COMPOSERS
- MUSIC FORMS AND MEDIA
SECTION E: COMPARATIVE MUSIC STUDIES
- An overview of the following black musicians (composers, performers, etc) in the diaspora. Mighty Sparrow, James Brown, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, R. Kelly, Lorrinan 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, Rihanna, etc.
- Forms to be examined include spirituals, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, afro-beat, tango, rap, chachacha, bolero, twist, hip-hop, etc.
- The spirit of nationalism in Nigerian music.
You can download the Jamb 2025 Music Syllabus here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Jamb 2025 Areas of Concentration for Music?
The Jamb 2025 Areas of Concentration for Music include five sections covering rudiments of music, elementary harmony, history and literature of African music, history and literature of Western music, and comparative music studies.
In Section A, students are expected to be familiar with the staff, music notes/rests and their values, time/time signature, key signatures and scales, intervals, and other basic musical terms and signs. They will also need to be able to transcribe music from staff into tonic solfa notation and vice-versa and transpose using the treble and bass staves.
Section B covers elementary harmony, including triads and their inversions in major/minor keys, basic chord progressions in four parts, kinds of motion, cadences in major keys, non-harmonic tones/non-chord tones, modulation, and elementary composition.
Section C is focused on the history and literature of African music, including Nigerian folksongs, traditional music and other arts, traditional musical instruments and their classifications, and the lives and music of African traditional musicians with a focus on Nigerian musicians.
Section D covers the history and literature of Western music, including the historical development of Western music styles, composers, music forms and media.
Finally, Section E examines comparative music studies, including an overview of black musicians in the diaspora and different musical forms, such as spirituals, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, afro-beat, tango, rap, chachacha, bolero, twist, hip-hop, etc. Students are also expected to understand the spirit of nationalism in Nigerian music.
ALL SUBJECTS JAMB 2025 AREAS OF CONCENTRATION:
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025/2026 PDF for All Subjects
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Use of English
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Mathematics
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Physics
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Chemistry
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Biology
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Agricultural Science
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Arabic
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Christian Religious Studies
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Commerce
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Art
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Computer Studies
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Economics
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for French
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Geography
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Government
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Hausa
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for History
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Home Economics
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Igbo
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Islamic Studies
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Literature in English
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Physical and Health Education
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Principles of Accounts
- Jamb Areas of Concentration 2025 for Yoruba.
Conclusion
The JAMB Areas of Concentration for Music guide is an essential resource for any student preparing for the JAMB Music exam in the 2025/2026 session. With our directory, you can master the key topics, formulas, and expert tips you need to succeed and feel confident on exam day. Don’t leave your success to chance – start studying now and give yourself the best chance to excel in JAMB’s Music!