2026 WAEC examination Music Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
PAPER 1 – OBJECTIVE TEST
Time Allowed: 1 Hour
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
- Answer ALL questions.
- Each question carries equal marks.
- Choose the most appropriate option A–D.
- Use HB pencil where applicable.
1. The distance between two notes is called
A. Chord
B. Interval
C. Scale
D. Tone
Answer: B
2. A staff consists of
A. Four lines
B. Five lines
C. Six lines
D. Seven lines
Answer: B
3. The treble clef is also known as
A. F clef
B. Alto clef
C. G clef
D. Tenor clef
Answer: C
4. The relative minor of C major is
A. E minor
B. A minor
C. D minor
D. G minor
Answer: B
5. A semibreve receives how many beats in common time?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 1
Answer: C
6. The sign that lowers a note by a semitone is
A. Sharp
B. Natural
C. Flat
D. Rest
Answer: C
7. The time signature 6/8 indicates
A. Six crotchets per bar
B. Six quavers per bar
C. Eight minims per bar
D. Two semibreves per bar
Answer: B
8. A chord of three notes is called
A. Interval
B. Triad
C. Arpeggio
D. Scale
Answer: B
9. Allegro means
A. Slow
B. Moderately slow
C. Fast
D. Very slow
Answer: C
2026 WAEC examination Music Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
10. The key signature of F major has
A. One sharp
B. Two sharps
C. One flat
D. Two flats
Answer: C
11. A minim equals
A. Two crotchets
B. Four crotchets
C. One quaver
D. Eight quavers
Answer: A
12. The dominant is the
A. 4th degree
B. 3rd degree
C. 5th degree
D. 6th degree
Answer: C
13. A dot placed after a note increases its value by
A. Half
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
Answer: A
14. The interval C to E is a
A. Third
B. Fourth
C. Fifth
D. Sixth
Answer: A
15. The tonic is the
A. 1st degree
B. 2nd degree
C. 6th degree
D. 7th degree
Answer: A
16. Crescendo means
A. Gradually louder
B. Suddenly loud
C. Gradually softer
D. Very fast
Answer: A
17. Diminuendo means
A. Faster
B. Slower
C. Gradually softer
D. Loud
Answer: C
18. The interval between two identical notes is
A. Third
B. Fifth
C. Octave
D. Unison
Answer: D
19. A natural sign cancels
A. Key signature
B. Sharp or flat
C. Clef
D. Time signature
Answer: B
20. The pattern of tones and semitones in a major scale is
A. T–T–S–T–T–T–S
B. T–S–T–T–S–T–T
C. S–T–T–T–S–T–T
D. T–T–T–S–T–T–S
Answer: A
21. The key of D major has
A. One sharp
B. Two sharps
C. Three sharps
D. Two flats
Answer: B
22. A quaver equals
A. Half a crotchet
B. One crotchet
C. Two crotchets
D. Four crotchets
Answer: A
23. A rest symbol represents
A. Silence
B. Speed
C. Volume
D. Pitch
Answer: A
24. The alto clef is also called
A. C clef
B. G clef
C. F clef
D. Bass clef
Answer: A
25. The interval C to F is a
A. Third
B. Fourth
C. Fifth
D. Sixth
Answer: B
26. Piano (p) means
A. Loud
B. Soft
C. Moderate
D. Fast
Answer: B
27. Forte (f) means
A. Loud
B. Soft
C. Moderate
D. Slow
Answer: A
28. The relative major of A minor is
A. C major
B. G major
C. D major
D. F major
Answer: A
29. Syncopation emphasizes
A. Strong beats
B. Off-beats
C. Silence
D. Tempo
Answer: B
30. An octave consists of
A. Six notes
B. Seven notes
C. Eight notes
D. Nine notes
Answer: C
31. The Baroque period was followed by the
A. Romantic period
B. Classical period
C. Medieval period
D. Modern period
Answer: B
32. Mozart was a composer of the
A. Romantic period
B. Baroque period
C. Classical period
D. Modern period
Answer: C
33. A symphony is written for
A. Solo instrument
B. Orchestra
C. Choir
D. Piano only
Answer: B
34. Opera combines
A. Dance only
B. Singing and drama
C. Drumming only
D. Poetry only
Answer: B
35. African traditional music is mainly transmitted through
A. Writing
B. Oral tradition
C. Printing
D. Recording only
Answer: B
36. Highlife music originated in
A. Nigeria
B. Ghana
C. USA
D. France
Answer: B
37. Fela Kuti popularized
A. Jazz
B. Afrobeat
C. Classical
D. Blues
Answer: B
38. A choir is made up of
A. Instrumentalists
B. Singers
C. Drummers
D. Conductors
Answer: B
2026 WAEC examination Music Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
39. The Romantic period emphasized
A. Emotion
B. Simplicity
C. Silence
D. Rhythm only
Answer: A
40. Handel composed
A. Messiah
B. Symphony No. 5
C. The Magic Flute
D. Swan Lake
Answer: A
41. Call and response is common in
A. European opera
B. African music
C. Piano solo
D. Symphony only
Answer: B
42. A hymn is
A. A religious song
B. A dance
C. An opera
D. A symphony
Answer: A
43. The conductor directs
A. Soloist
B. Orchestra
C. Audience
D. Composer
Answer: B
44. Beethoven bridged the Classical and
A. Baroque
B. Romantic
C. Medieval
D. Modern
Answer: B
45. National anthem is a
A. Folk song
B. Patriotic song
C. Dance
D. Opera
Answer: B
46. The violin belongs to
A. Brass
B. Woodwind
C. String
D. Percussion
Answer: C
47. The trumpet is
A. String
B. Brass
C. Woodwind
D. Percussion
Answer: B
48. The talking drum is common among the
A. Hausa
B. Yoruba
C. Igbo
D. Tiv
Answer: B
49. A piano produces sound by
A. Blowing air
B. Striking strings
C. Plucking strings
D. Shaking
Answer: B
50. The flute belongs to
A. Brass
B. String
C. Woodwind
D. Percussion
Answer: C
51. The guitar is a
A. Brass instrument
B. String instrument
C. Woodwind
D. Percussion
Answer: B
52. The drum belongs to
A. String
B. Brass
C. Woodwind
D. Percussion
Answer: D
53. The saxophone belongs to
A. Brass
B. Woodwind
C. String
D. Percussion
Answer: B
54. The harp is a
A. String instrument
B. Brass instrument
C. Percussion
D. Woodwind
Answer: A
55. The clarinet belongs to
A. Woodwind
B. Brass
C. String
D. Percussion
Answer: A
56. The xylophone is
A. Brass
B. String
C. Percussion
D. Woodwind
Answer: C
57. The cello is larger than the
A. Violin
B. Trumpet
C. Flute
D. Drum
Answer: A
58. The oboe is a
A. Brass
B. Woodwind
C. String
D. Percussion
Answer: B
59. The organ is a
A. Keyboard instrument
B. Brass instrument
C. String instrument
D. Drum
Answer: A
60. The shekere is classified as
A. String
B. Brass
C. Woodwind
D. Percussion
Answer: D
2026 WAEC examination Music Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
MUSIC 2 – Essay
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Instructions:
Answer Five (5) questions only.
Question 1 is compulsory.
All questions carry equal marks.
QUESTION 1 (Compulsory)
1(a). Define the following musical terms:
i. Cadence
ii. Arpeggio
iii. Modulation
iv. Syncopation
Answer:
- Cadence: A melodic or harmonic progression that brings a musical phrase to a close.
- Arpeggio: The notes of a chord played successively instead of simultaneously.
- Modulation: The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music.
- Syncopation: The displacement of regular accents in music by emphasizing weak beats or off-beats.
1(b). Write short notes on:
i. Staff notation
ii. Tonic Sol-fa notation
Answer:
- Staff Notation: A system of writing music using five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are placed to indicate pitch and duration. It includes clefs, time signatures, key signatures, and other symbols.
- Tonic Sol-fa Notation: A simplified system of musical notation using syllables (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do) to represent scale degrees. It emphasizes relative pitch rather than fixed pitch.
QUESTION 2
2(a). Explain the term “Harmony” in music.
Answer:
Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce chords. It supports the melody and adds depth, richness, and texture to a musical composition.
2(b). Identify and explain four types of cadences.
Answer:
- Perfect Cadence: V – I progression; gives a strong sense of finality.
- Plagal Cadence: IV – I progression; often called the “Amen” cadence.
- Imperfect Cadence: Ends on the dominant (V); gives an unfinished feeling.
- Interrupted Cadence: V – VI progression; creates surprise or suspense.
QUESTION 3
3(a). Describe the structure of the major scale.
Answer:
The major scale follows the pattern:
Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone (T–T–S–T–T–T–S).
For example, C major scale:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C.
3(b). Construct the key signature of G major and identify its tonic, dominant, and subdominant.
Answer:
- Key Signature: One sharp (F♯)
- Tonic: G
- Dominant: D
- Subdominant: C
QUESTION 4
4(a). Discuss the characteristics of African traditional music.
Answer:
- Use of call and response.
- Emphasis on rhythm and percussion.
- Use of indigenous instruments.
- Oral transmission.
- Integration with dance and social activities.
4(b). Mention four African musical instruments and classify them.
Answer:
- Talking Drum – Membranophone
- Xylophone – Idiophone
- Flute – Aerophone
- Goje (one-string fiddle) – Chordophone
2026 WAEC examination Music Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
QUESTION 5
5(a). Explain the term “Form” in music.
Answer:
Form refers to the overall structure or organization of a musical composition.
5(b). Describe the following musical forms:
i. Binary Form
ii. Ternary Form
iii. Rondo Form
Answer:
- Binary Form (AB): Two contrasting sections.
- Ternary Form (ABA): Three sections; the first section returns after a contrasting middle section.
- Rondo Form (ABACA): A recurring main theme alternates with contrasting episodes.
QUESTION 6
6(a). Define the term “Oratorio.”
Answer:
An oratorio is a large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually based on a religious theme and performed without costumes or stage action.
6(b). Discuss the contribution of one Nigerian composer to music development.
Answer (Example – Fela Sowande):
Fela Sowande was one of Nigeria’s foremost composers and organists. His contributions include:
- Incorporation of African melodies into classical music.
- Promotion of Nigerian art music internationally.
- Composition of works such as African Suite.
- Teaching and mentoring young Nigerian musicians.
QUESTION 7
7(a). Explain four dynamic markings used in music.
Answer:
- Piano (p): Soft
- Forte (f): Loud
- Mezzo Forte (mf): Moderately loud
- Crescendo (cresc.): Gradually getting louder
7(b). Differentiate between Melody and Rhythm.
Answer:
- Melody: A sequence of musical notes arranged in a pleasing order.
- Rhythm: The pattern of beats or timing in music.
