There's so much to learn about music! Not just the theory but all the history etc.. Im at the start of my GCSE course so we haven't really done much. Will i learn all i need to know during GCSE, A level etc.. or will most of it come from experience? Everyone seems to know a lot about famous composers and i seem to know very little.

I know what you mean missmusic, the world of music is so vast!

I'm sure you will study a few composers on your GSCE course.

Hi! You cant expect to learn everything about music within 4 yers of study, Im at university and I still dont really have a clue about most things! However I found that if you are worried you dont know enough information, listen to ome music and pick out about 3 or 4 composers that you really like then go and find some information about them and the different types of music that they have written, This will in turn lead you into discovering details concerning particular genres such as how symphonies are structured, and how opera has developed etc. I found this really helped and it also allows you in exams to quote about other composers and music which you feel are relevant to what you are studying. Just take it easy and enjoy different aspects of music, Some people study music their whole lives, so believe me, its highly unlikely you'll become a music expert by A-level so just enjoy what your doing and try to gain a wider knowledge which will enhance your performing capabilities and future prospects if you decide to continue with music into further education. Hope this helps!

Well, provided your teacher is doing their job, you will certainly learn all you need to know in order to pass your GCSE and A-level.

But they cannot teach you the entire history of music in four years! Even if you do a degree, you still won't learn everything. Learning is a lifetime process, not just something you do at school or university.

Hopefully, you will get a taste for it and wish to continue your own studies. You are luckier than I was; when I was doing my GCSEs there was no such thing as the Internet (yes - honest!!) so we didn't have such easy access to knowledge. We had to use books - you know, those rectangular things made out of paper and all stuck together! (sorry - just kidding!!! )

Anyway, your education will cover the basics, after that it is up to you to choose to study further into the aspects of music you enjoy the most. But there is always something new to learn. You learn till the day you die - that's the fun of it!

hi!!!

i'm just finishin my GCSE course........ and i will safely say that i know very little about any composers, except for those that i chose to study (with no relevance to the course) the history of music is basically to learn what the different periods sound like, not to know the biography of various composers...... hope that takes the stress off!!!!

jaime