Music Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026: To achieve excellence in Music Grade 12 for the 2026 academic year, learners must demonstrate a synthesis of technical music literacy, listening proficiency, and historical knowledge. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is pending, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive scope for your revision.
The assessment is divided into three major components: a practical performance exam (conducted between August and October) and two external written papers. Success requires not just “knowing” music, but “understanding” it through active listening and score analysis.
Download Music Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)
Download the official documents to align your study sessions with the 2026 CAPS requirements:
- Download Music Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
- Download Music Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)
For more support, visit the My Courses homepage or explore the Grade 12 Study Resources hub for past papers and practical performance tips.
Paper 1: Music Literacy and General Music Knowledge
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 120
Paper 1 tests your theoretical knowledge and your understanding of music history and styles. It is divided into compulsory and choice-based sections.
Section A: Music Literacy (60 Marks)
- Theory & Composition: Notation, complex rhythms, intervals, and harmonic progressions.
- Melody Writing: Creating an original 12-bar melody for a specific instrument or voice, often in ternary (ABA) form.
- Four-Part Harmony: Completing vocal or instrumental harmonisation using Roman numerals or chord symbols.
Sections B–E: General Music Knowledge (60 Marks) Learners must choose only one of the following streams:
- Section C: Western Art Music (WAM): Focuses on Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century styles.
- Section D: Jazz: Covers South African and international jazz history, styles, and key artists.
- Section E: Indigenous African Music (IAM): Focuses on traditional music, heritage, and contemporary South African indigenous styles.
Paper 2: Music Comprehension
Duration: 1½ Hours | Total Marks: 30
Paper 2 is a high-stakes listening exam. You will respond to questions while an official examination CD is played in the venue.
Core Requirements for Paper 2:
- Aural Recognition: Identifying intervals, cadences, and rhythmic patterns by ear.
- Music Concepts: Distinguishing between different textures (e.g., monophonic vs. polyphonic), meters, and compositional techniques like “Call and Response.”
- Contextual Listening: Identifying instruments (aerophones, idiophones, etc.) and styles based on the audio tracks provided for your chosen stream (WAM, Jazz, or IAM).
Conclusion: Strategy for 2026 Success
The Music Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that music is a practical art. To secure a “Level 7,” ensure you:
- Practice Notation in Pencil: Use Paper 1 past papers to master clefs, key signatures, and rhythmic grouping.
- Train Your Ears: Use the audio tracks from past Paper 2 exams to practice identifying cadences and intervals instantly.
- Know Your Prescribed Works: For your chosen stream, you must be able to discuss the biography of the composer/artist and the specific characteristics of their works.
Stay updated on the 2026 matric calendar and find specialized theory tutorials by visiting My Courses.
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