I'm about to embark on my GCSE music course and i just wanted to know how you feel, and what the course constitutes of.

Im 14, and a pianist and violinist, currently taking grade 4, although i can play to grade 7 standard, and also taking my grade 5 theory.

Some of your opinions and experiences, i would appreciate

Ok, it all depends on what exam board you are using - AQA, OCR, Edexcel etc.

But all the courses consist of Listening Paper, Composition, Performance and in some cases a written exam.

Do you know which board you will be using? That will allow people to give you more specifics

The course consists of coursework, where you have to compose and record pieces (a solo, an ensemble and a couple of compositions). There is also a listening exam at the end of Year 11. As for what you have to study for the course, it depends which exam board you're with.

Car Expert

I'm not sure, but will find out and post it tomorrow

Thanks anyway

Try this website GCSE Music and have a read through there. And as soon as you know what Exam board you are doing people can help more specifically..

But just a quick thing...GCSE music is great

I really did not enjoy my GCSE Music (sorry Pialinist) one iota!! Partially because I had to play teacher, and I think the theory in it is so ............. brief?? I don't know, I'm one of those people who think theory is one of the most important things in music, and its so brief in it I don't think it does music justice... Sorry

That's the one thing I enjoyed most about GCSE music, playing teacher when we did any theory lessons. Going around helping people explaining to them how things work etc. Depends what kind of kids are likely to be in your class and whether or not you are the kind of person who likes to help people

Hi Everyone,

I think the Exam board is Edexcel, and i heard there's not much differrence between the 3 exm boards.

is this right?

Hi! I'm in the same Year as you, and I chose GCSE for one of my options.



You have to do a listening test (25%), Composition (25%) 2 Performences (25%) and 1 other thing that I forgot.

My edexcel music was weighted a little differently - composition (2 of) was 30%, performance (1 solo, 1 ensemble) was also 30% and the listening was 40%. You also had to perform in one of your compositions, although I believe this requirement has been removed now.