Western Music — Textbook & Study Material

Download the official textbook for Western Music and see the full chapter list so you know exactly what to cover.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Harmony: Four-Part Chords and Inversions
Chapter 2: Dominant Seventh Chord and Inversions
Chapter 3: Modulation to Related Keys
Chapter 4: Unessential Notes and Harmonic Decoration
Chapter 5: Harmonisation, Figured Bass and Phrase Construction
Chapter 6: Melody Writing and Completion
Chapter 7: Rhythmic Structure, Phrasing and Harmonic Analysis
Chapter 8: Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36
Chapter 9: Optional Prescribed Work: Bach, Schubert or Cesar Franck
Chapter 10: Rhythm Dictation in Simple Time
Chapter 11: Melodic Dictation in Major and Minor Keys
Chapter 12: Recognition of Diatonic Intervals
Chapter 13: Recognition of Cadences
Chapter 14: Recognition of Principal Chords and Inversions
Chapter 15: Recognition of Modulations to Related Keys
Chapter 16: Practical Examination Performance
Chapter 17: Internal Evaluation of Year-Round Work

Frequently asked questions

Is the Western Music textbook enough to score well, or do I need extra notes?

The official textbook is the core — most exam questions are set directly from it, so read it thoroughly first. Add concise notes and solved past papers for revision and exam practice rather than switching to unofficial books.

How should I study the Western Music textbook chapter by chapter?

Cover the high-weightage chapters first (use the exam pattern as a guide), make a one-page summary per chapter, and immediately solve a few past-paper questions on it. Active recall beats passive re-reading.

How can I prepare for Western Music faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Western Music — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Western Music study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.