To think you could go through GCSEs and a level music without knowing how to write and read music

[cleofatra]

Back "in my day" music was really theoretical and concentrated on the "language" or music. Now it looks like music theory means something very different. Not saying its a bad thing but wondering if you could get away with it.

I seriously doubt it!

How much do you know about A-level music exam?
For A-levels my dd had to compose fairly long piece if music and also perform. Her performance was a grade 8 piece. She got an A.
How could she do both without being able to read music?
Or do you mean any grade above F is good enough?

No, this is as a result of a school information evening. Composition can be done electronically and the syllabus doesn't look like they cover it. I'm glad to hear if they do.

Maybe they were playing it down :/

That would not be possible.

I am sure they both still require you to perform and compose- which you couldn't do without being able to read music. (I done GCSE & music was my minor at university)

Just google the syllabus for the courses they will tell you

I've just googled 3 syllabus' and yes they still all require composition and performance.

Thanks snowysky :)

DD is doing A level music - she says she is glad she is able to read music.

But she did GCSE music and no - people did not need to read it, you need to learn about scales and key etc, but being able to sight read notes is not strictly necessary. Composition was mainly done on a computer system, and if done on paper - it is easy enough to compose a piece without knowing the notes entirely.

The performance aspect can be done on your instrument of choice - drummers and guitarists and voice artists do not need to "read music" as such.

I did my degree in Music Production without knowing how to read/write music. It definitely would have helped though.

..Well, I played the violin when I was 8 and got to grade 1... so I have VERY basic knowledge of how to read and write music

But I imagine GCSE/A-Level doesn't deal much with the studio/production side so you would probably need basic music knowledge?