National 4 Music
Young people develop skills in Performing, Understanding Music (Listening) and Composing. While there is no external assessment for this course, it is subject to verification by SQA.
Throughout the course, learners build confidence on performing two instruments, or one instrument and voice, and prepare and record a programme lasting 8 minutes in total. Learners must reflect on their journey, and engage in self-assessment following the final recording of the pieces. Learners are encouraged to perform to a small audience.
Learners, throughout the course, build up a knowledge and understanding of key musical concepts, including musical literacy/theory terms. These are then applied in exam style questions in order to obtain the unit pass. Learners engage in a series of tasks which will allow them to explore the social and cultural elements of each musical style and genre. Learners are encouraged to apply their understanding of the concepts in a new context, e.g. in the performance of a piece.
The final element of the course requires learners to write an original piece of music. Learners will receive some guidance on this course element from their teacher. Learners are encouraged to use their knowledge of listening concepts and skills in performance to develop and enhance their composition. A reflection/self-assessment is carried out on completion of the task.
Throughout the course, learners build confidence on performing two instruments, or one instrument and voice, and prepare and record a programme lasting 8 minutes in total. Learners must reflect on their journey, and engage in self-assessment following the final recording of the pieces. Learners are encouraged to perform to a small audience.
Learners, throughout the course, build up a knowledge and understanding of key musical concepts, including musical literacy/theory terms. These are then applied in exam style questions in order to obtain the unit pass. Learners engage in a series of tasks which will allow them to explore the social and cultural elements of each musical style and genre. Learners are encouraged to apply their understanding of the concepts in a new context, e.g. in the performance of a piece.
The final element of the course requires learners to write an original piece of music. Learners will receive some guidance on this course element from their teacher. Learners are encouraged to use their knowledge of listening concepts and skills in performance to develop and enhance their composition. A reflection/self-assessment is carried out on completion of the task.
National 5 Music
This course is fully externally assessed by SQA, and covers the same 3 course elements as National 4 Music - Performing, Understanding Music, and Composing.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in February/March to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform an 8 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 2 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from BGE and National 4 Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 45 minutes and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in February/March to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform an 8 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 2 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from BGE and National 4 Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 45 minutes and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece.
Higher Music
This course is fully externally assessed by SQA, and covers the same 3 course elements as National 5 Music - Performing, Understanding Music, and Composing.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in February/March to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform a 12 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 4 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from National 5 Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 1 hour and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in February/March to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform a 12 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 4 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from National 5 Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 1 hour and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece.
Advanced Higher Music
This course is fully externally assessed by SQA, and covers the same 3 course elements as Higher Music - Performing, Understanding Music, and Composing.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in May to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform an 18 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 6 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from Higher Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic. There is a significant increase in theory content in this exam, exploring further transposition, chord inversions etc.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece. At this level, learners are expected to express their own musical interests in their composition and justify this suitably in the written task. In addition, learners must analyse a piece of existing music and write an essay of 600-800 words outlining the compositional techniques used. Learners must ensure that they show a sound understanding of the piece chosen, and must analyse the reasons why the composer has chosen to include a certain effect in the music. Again, learners here can draw upon skills in other course areas to assist in the completion of this task. Deadlines for this analysis are set throughout the session and feedback is provided following each submission to allow for improvements to be made prior to the uplift date.
Learners carefully select a programme of pieces for assessment, and work on these throughout the session until the final performance exam, which takes place in May to a visiting assessor from SQA. Learners will perform an 18 minute programme, with at least 2 pieces on each of their 2 instruments. Learners must perform for a minimum of 6 minutes on one of their instruments. Performance assessments are carried out throughout the session to allow learners to receive feedback to inform improvement prior to the final SQA Exam. Performance opportunities with an audience are provided throughout the session to allow the learner to build up confidence in their presentation.
Learners build on current knowledge of musical concepts from Higher Music, including music literacy/theory terms. Unit assessments take place following each genre/style and a final SQA exam takes place in April/May. This is a listening exam which lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and tests learner knowledge and understanding of the key concepts explored in each topic. There is a significant increase in theory content in this exam, exploring further transposition, chord inversions etc.
Learners must write an original piece of music, lasting at least 1 minute. This is sent to SQA at the end of March, and comprises: a score or performance plan, the audio, and a written reflection of the process. Learners should draw upon their performance skills and knowledge of the listening concepts in writing their piece. At this level, learners are expected to express their own musical interests in their composition and justify this suitably in the written task. In addition, learners must analyse a piece of existing music and write an essay of 600-800 words outlining the compositional techniques used. Learners must ensure that they show a sound understanding of the piece chosen, and must analyse the reasons why the composer has chosen to include a certain effect in the music. Again, learners here can draw upon skills in other course areas to assist in the completion of this task. Deadlines for this analysis are set throughout the session and feedback is provided following each submission to allow for improvements to be made prior to the uplift date.