Higher National Unit Specification. General information. Unit title: Music Theory (SCQF level 8) Unit code: J0MX 35. Unit purpose.

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1 Higher National Unit Specification General information Unit code: J0MX 35 Superclass: LF Publication date: June 2018 Source: Scottish Qualifications Authority Version: 01 Unit purpose This unit is designed to develop and extend learners knowledge and understanding of music theory. The unit is a direct progression from the unit Music Theory (SCQF level 7) and builds on the knowledge of this unit, covering a range of time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions before giving the learner the opportunity to transpose a melody and chord progression. The learner will develop their skills in musical notation while demonstrating that they can notate the given time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions. The unit is intended primarily for learners who are interested in pursuing a potential career in music, such as performer or composer, and would also benefit those who wish to progress to higher education in music. Outcomes On successful completion of the unit the learner will be able to: 1 Notate components of pitch, rhythm, scales and modes. 2 Notate a range of chords and inversions. 3 Transpose a melody and chords. Credit points and level 1 Higher National Unit credit at SCQF level 8 (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8) J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 1

2 Higher National Unit Specification: General information (cont) Recommended entry to the unit While entry is at the discretion of the centre, it would be beneficial if learners have completed, or are working towards the Music Theory (SCQF level 7) unit. Core Skills Opportunities to develop aspects of Core Skills are highlighted in the support notes for this unit specification. There is no automatic certification of Core Skills or Core Skill components in this unit. Context for delivery This is an optional unit in the framework for HN Music. It is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the subject area of the group award to which it contributes. The Assessment Support Pack (ASP) for this unit provides assessment and marking guidelines that exemplify the national standard for achievement. It is a valid, reliable and practicable assessment. Centres wishing to develop their own assessments should refer to the ASP to ensure a comparable standard. A list of existing ASPs is available to download from SQA s website ( Equality and inclusion This unit specification has been designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to learning or assessment. The individual needs of learners should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment methods or considering alternative evidence. Further advice can be found on our website J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 2

3 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the unit specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. Outcome 1 Notate components of pitch, rhythm, scales and modes. Knowledge and/or skills Simple, compound and irregular meters Note values and time signatures Key signatures of modes and scales Modes: Dorian, Mixolydian, Aeolian Scale: Blues scale Outcome 2 Notate a range of chords and inversions. Knowledge and/or skills Range of chords and chord symbols: Augmented triad, dim7, sus 2, sus 4, Maj 6, Maj 9 Inversions: root position, 1st and 2nd inversion major and minor triads Outcome 3 Transpose a melody and chords. Knowledge and/or skills Transposing instruments Transposition Lead sheet/chord charts J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 3

4 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Evidence requirements for this unit Outcome 1 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can: (a) (b) Notate note values of semibreve (whole note) to demisemiquaver (thirty-second note) and their equivalent rests, single-dotted notes and rests and tied notes to the same value. Notate time signatures (c) (d) (e) Notate the key signatures, for major and minor keys and modes, with five, six and seven sharps and flats. Notate Dorian, Mixolydian and Aeolian modes. Notate the blues scale. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under closed-book, controlled conditions at appropriate points in the unit. Assessment of the evidence requirements may be captured at appropriate points in the unit but the total time for Outcome 1 assessment will be 90 minutes. Outcome 2 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can: (a) (b) Notate a range of chords and write the names using appropriate chord symbols: augmented triad, dim7, sus 2, sus 4, Maj 6, Maj 9. Notate inversions: root position, 1st and 2nd inversion for major and minor triads. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under closed-book, controlled conditions. The total time for the assessment will be 60 minutes. J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 4

5 Higher National Unit Specification: Statement of standards (cont) Outcome 3 Learners will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can: (a) (b) Transpose a melody for a given transposing instrument. Transpose a chord progression. Learners will transpose a minimum of 8 bars. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under closed-book, in an assessment of 30 minutes duration. The outcomes in this unit can be assessed separately, but it would also be possible to integrate outcomes to result in one or two assessments. J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 5

6 Higher National Unit Support Notes Unit support notes are offered as guidance and are not mandatory. While the exact time allocated to this unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional design length is 40 hours. Guidance on the content and context for this unit This unit will give learners opportunities to build on their understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. The unit is intended to give learners knowledge and skills that will enhance their potential for progression and employability in music. Once completed, it will help them to approach many musical activities, eg rehearsing, composing and analysing with greater precision and confidence. Outcome 1 learners will extend their knowledge of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. They will develop their knowledge before notating note values and rests from the semibreve (whole note) to the demisemiquaver (32nd note) inclusive and simple, compound and irregular meter and time signatures. Learners will identify and notate scales and modes (Dorian, Mixolydian and Aeolian). In addition, learners will develop skills in identifying and notating key signatures up to seven sharps and flats. It is expected that assessors/tutors will recap on the note values, key signatures, time signatures and scales from Music Theory (SCQF level 7). Outcome 2 learners will examine chord construction and work to develop skills in understanding and then notating inversions: root position, 1st and 2nd inversions of major and minor triads using Roman numerals and chord symbols. From this point learners will look at a range of chords and chord symbols (aug, dim7, sus 2, sus 4, Maj 6, Maj 9). It is expected that assessors/tutors will recap on the chords covered in the Music Theory (SCQF level 7) unit. Outcome 3 learners will apply elements of their knowledge from Outcomes 1 and 2 including key signatures, scales and harmony to transpose melody and chords. The unit is aligned to elements of the Creative and Cultural Skillset, National Occupational Standards (NOS): CCSMPR41 CCSMPR39 Read music Apply music theory knowledge J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 6

7 Higher National Unit Support Notes (cont) Guidance on approaches to delivery of this unit The unit can be delivered primarily in a group/class context; however, varied approaches to learning and teaching can be explored. It is important that this unit is delivered within the context of music making. Where practicable, the learning and teaching could also be related to the instruments the learner plays. Opportunities exist to contextualise the requirements for this unit alongside the Music First Study: Instrument (SCQF level 8) and/or Music First Study: Composition (SCQF level 8) units will allow learners to further contextualise the elements of music theory and notation explored. This would be particularly useful for underpinning knowledge where visual recognition of music notation and symbols can be related to the sound being produced on an instrument or voice. The contextualisation of the contents of this unit can also be promoted through a wide range of listening activities. Learners could follow music notation while they listen to live or recorded music. There are many practical class activities which can enhance learning, eg rhythm clapping games or using a range of percussion instruments to teach groups how to respond to rhythm notation and time signatures. Where possible, learners should be encouraged in the classroom setting to use their own instruments to explore and consolidate the aspects of music theory covered, eg chord progressions in different keys. In addition, the tutor/assessor could use musical material familiar to the learners to illustrate the relevance of music theory in practice. Although the learners are only to be assessed on one transposing instrument for Outcome 3, it is expected that they will be exposed to a range of transposing instruments during delivery. The use of information technology is recommended to support learning and there are many online music theory sites and software packages currently available. Guidance on approaches to assessment of this unit Evidence can be generated using different types of assessment. The following are suggestions only. There may be other methods that would be more suitable to learners. Centres are reminded that prior verification of centre-devised assessments would help to ensure that the national standard is being met. Where learners experience a range of assessment methods, this helps them to develop different skills that should be transferable to work or further and higher education. The outcomes in this unit can be assessed separately, but it would also be possible to integrate outcomes to result in one or two assessments. Although this unit builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Music Theory (SCQF level 7), elements for assessment should focus on the new concepts introduced, and avoid repeating material from Music Theory (SCQF level 7). J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 7

8 Higher National Unit Support Notes (cont) When assessing transposing in Outcome 3 it is acceptable to present learners with an 8 bar melody with chord names and symbols written above the learners would then transpose the melody and write the relevant chord symbols and names in the correct place above their transposed melody. Where reassessment is required the assessment should use different question ordering or examples where possible. Learners only need to be reassessed on any evidence requirements that they were not successful in, on first attempt. Assessment should take place in closed-book controlled conditions total assessment durations are specified in the evidence requirements. Opportunities for e-assessment E-assessment may be appropriate for some assessments in this unit. By e-assessment we mean assessment which is supported by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as e-testing or the use of e-portfolios or social software. Centres which wish to use e-assessment must ensure that the national standard is applied to all learner evidence and that conditions of assessment as specified in the evidence requirements are met, regardless of the mode of gathering evidence. The most up-to-date guidance on the use of e-assessment to support SQA s qualifications is available at Opportunities for developing Core and other essential skills During this unit there will be opportunities for learners to develop Core Skills such as Communication, Numeracy, Working with Others, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Problem Solving. Learners may also develop other skills such as critical listening. J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 8

9 History of changes to unit Version Description of change Date Scottish Qualifications Authority 2018 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that no profit is derived from reproduction and that, if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. Additional copies of this unit specification can be purchased from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Please contact the Business Development and Customer Support team, telephone J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 9

10 General information for learners This section will help you decide whether this is the unit for you by explaining what the unit is about, what you should know or be able to do before you start, what you will need to do during the unit and opportunities for further learning and employment. This unit is designed to build on your understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. The unit is intended to give you knowledge and skills that will enhance your potential for employability in music and progression to higher education. There are three outcomes, each of which cover specific aspects of music theory. 1 Notate components of pitch, rhythm, scales and modes. 2 Notate a range of chords and inversions. 3 Transpose a melody and chords. The unit is in the optional section of the HN Music framework. Outcome 1 you will extend your knowledge of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. You will develop your knowledge and notate note values and rests from the semibreve (whole note) to the demisemiquaver (32nd note) inclusive and simple, compound and irregular meter and time signatures. You will also notate scales and modes (Dorian, Mixolydian, Aeolian). From here, you will develop skills in notating key signatures with five, six and seven sharps and flats. Outcome 2 you will examine chord construction and work to develop skills in notating inversions: root position, 1st and 2nd inversion major and minor triads using Roman numerals and chord symbols. From this point you will look at a range of chords and chord symbols (aug, dim7, sus 2, sus 4, Maj 6, Maj 9). Outcome 3 you will apply your knowledge of key signatures, scales and harmony from the range explored in Outcomes 1 and 2 to transpose melody and chords. The unit is likely to be taught in a variety of ways and you will be required to undertake selfstudy to consolidate your learning. Both the Music First Study: Instrument (SCQF level 8) and Music First Study: Composition (SCQF level 8) units will allow you to further contextualise the elements of music theory and notation explored in this unit. During the course of the unit you will have the opportunity to develop Core Skills such as Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Problem Solving. You may also develop other skills such as critical listening. J0MX 35, Music Theory (SCQF level 8) 10