Higher National Unit specification: general information Unit code: H1M8 35 Superclass: LF Publication date: June 2012 Source: Scottish Qualifications Authority Version: 01 Unit purpose This Unit is designed to develop and extend candidates knowledge and understanding of music theory and articulates with, and is a direct progression from, the Unit Music Theory 1 (SCQF level 7). The Unit is intended primarily for candidates who are interested in pursuing a potential career in all aspects of music, eg performer or composer and would benefit those who wish to progress to Higher Education in Music. On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to: 1 Identify components of rhythm. 2 Identify key signatures and scales. 3 Identify chords and chord progressions. 4 Transpose music. Recommended prior knowledge and skills Access to this Unit will be at the discretion of the centre. However, it is recommended that candidates should have completed the Unit Music Theory 1 (SCQF level 7) before undertaking this Unit. Credit points and level 1 Higher National Unit credit at SCQF level 8: (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8*) *SCQF credit points are used to allocate credit to qualifications in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Each qualification in the Framework is allocated a number of SCQF credit points at an SCQF level. There are 12 SCQF levels, ranging from Access 1 to Doctorates. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 1
General information (cont) Core Skills Opportunities to develop aspects of Core Skills are highlighted in the support notes of 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 HND Music. If this Unit is delivered as part of a Group Award, it is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the subject area of the Group Award to which it contributes. The assessment exemplar for this Unit provides assessment and marking guidelines that exemplify the national standard for achievement. It is a valid, reliable and practicable Instrument of Assessment. Centres wishing to develop their own assessments should refer to the assessment exemplar to ensure a comparable standard. Assessment exemplars are available on SQA s secure website. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 2
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards Unit code: H1M8 35 The sections of the Unit stating the Outcomes, Knowledge and/or Skills, and Evidence Requirements are mandatory. Where evidence for Outcomes is assessed on a sample basis, the whole of the content listed in the Knowledge and/or Skills section must be taught and available for assessment. Candidates should not know in advance the items on which they will be assessed and different items should be sampled on each assessment occasion. Outcome 1 Identify components of rhythm. Knowledge and/or Skills Simple, compound and irregular meters Time signatures Note and rest groupings Evidence Requirements Candidates will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their Knowledge and/or Skills by showing that they can: Distinguish between simple, compound and irregular meters Identify the time signature of given musical excerpts Correctly group notes and rests in given musical excerpts The excerpts can either be written or played. The time signatures required are: 2 4 3 6 12 5 7 4 4 4 8 8 4 4 The groupings required are duplets, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and sextuplets. Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under controlled conditions at appropriate points in the Unit. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 3
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Outcome 2 Identify key signatures and scales. Knowledge and/or Skills Major key signatures Minor key signatures Major scales Minor scales, melodic and harmonic Modes Evidence Requirements Candidates will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their Knowledge and/or Skills by showing that they can: Identify the key signature of given music excerpts Identify given scales as major, melodic or harmonic minor Identify the mode of given scales The keys required are listed in the following table: Major Key C major G major D major A major E major B major Minor Key A minor E minor B minor F minor C minor G minor F# major D minor C major F major Bb major Eb major Ab major Db major Gb major Cb major A minor D minor G minor C minor F minor Bb minor Eb minor Ab minor H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 4
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) The modes required are listed in the following table: Mode Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian Locrian Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under controlled conditions at appropriate points in the Unit. Outcome 3 Identify chords and chord progressions. Knowledge and/or Skills Chord construction Chord progressions Evidence Requirements Candidates will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their Knowledge and/or Skills by showing that they can: Identify chords and triads from given musical excerpts Identify chord progressions from given musical excerpts The chords/triads required are: Root position, 1st and 2nd inversion major and minor triads Major, Dominant, Minor 7th Minor 7th b5 Major and minor 6th The chord progressions required are: II-V-I I-VI-II-V I-IV-V I-III-IV-V H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 5
Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under controlled conditions at appropriate points in the Unit. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 6
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Outcome 4 Transpose music. Knowledge and/or Skills Transposition Lead sheets/chord charts Transposing instruments Evidence Requirements Candidates will need to provide evidence to demonstrate their Knowledge and/or Skills by showing that they can: Transpose a written piece of music Transpose a lead sheet/chord chart Select the correct key for a transposing instrument Written and/or oral evidence will be produced under controlled conditions at appropriate points in the Unit. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 7
Higher National Unit specification: support notes This part of the Unit specification is offered as guidance. The support notes 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 consolidate and develop the candidate s knowledge and understanding of music theory and is a direct progression from the HN Unit Music Theory 1. This Unit will enhance the knowledge and understanding and skills developed in a wide range of Music Units. This Unit would be of benefit to those candidates wishing to progress to Higher Education in Music. Outcome 1 focuses on the components of rhythm. It looks at the identification of regular and irregular time signatures and how notes and rests are grouped within these time signatures; what constitutes simple, compound and irregular meters. Rhythmic groupings of notes and rests are studied duplets, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and sextuplets. Outcome 2 deals specifically with identifying major and minor scales and key signatures as well as diatonic modes. All major and their related minor key signatures will be studied along with modes Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian. Outcome 3 develops familiarity with the construction of chords and triads and common chord progressions. Chords include: Root position, 1st and 2nd inversion major and minor triads Major, dominant, and minor 7th Minor 7th b5 Major and minor 6th Chord progressions include: II-V-I I-VI-II-V I-IV-V I-III-IV-V Outcome 4 involves transposing music. Candidates will learn how to transpose notated music and lead sheets into other keys. They will learn how to select the correct key for a transposing instrument. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 8
Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) Guidance on the delivery of this Unit This has been developed as an optional Unit in the framework for HND Music. Candidates should be encouraged to use this Unit to explore music theory in context and apply this theory to their own instrument and/or compositions. They should be encouraged to use a variety of means to research the theory of music and its development. Guidance on the assessment of this Unit All of the content listed in the Knowledge and/or Skills section must be taught and be available for assessment, but evidence for Outcomes is assessed on the basis of sampling. The four Outcomes of this Unit may be assessed individually on an Outcome by Outcome basis or the assessment may be integrated. The assessment should involve written and practical tests. One approach to assessment could be providing a music score which asks candidates to identify Evidence Requirements from a brief. This could include identification of scales, keys, rhythmic content, intervals and chord progressions. Should there be any ambiguity regarding a candidate s response, oral questioning may be used to eliminate any doubt about the candidate s understanding. The assessor should note questions and responses. Assessment Guidelines Outcome 1 This is a written and aural assessment. Outcome 2 This is a written and aural assessment. Outcome 3 This is a written and aural assessment. Outcome 4 This is a written assessment. Online and Distance Learning This Unit could be delivered by online and distance learning with appropriate support materials. Candidates would need to have access to appropriate technology and delivering centres would have to make arrangements to ensure authenticity of candidates evidence. There is a wide range of online music theory programmes available. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 9
Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) Opportunities for developing Core Skills In all Outcomes there are opportunities for candidates to develop aspects of the Core Skill of Communication as they produce written and oral communication as part of the assessment requirements for the Unit. In all Outcomes there are opportunities for candidates to develop aspects of the Core Skills of Numeracy and Problem Solving. If candidates access IT and online theory sites and software to support their learning, this will provide relevant opportunities for them to develop aspects of the Core Skill of Information and Communication Technology. Disabled candidates and/or those with additional support needs The additional support needs of individual candidates should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment instruments, or considering whether any reasonable adjustments may be required. Further advice can be found on our website www.sqa.org.uk/assessmentarrangements. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 10
History of changes to Unit Version Description of change Date Scottish Qualifications Authority 2012 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 0303 333 0330. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 11
General information for candidates Music theory examines the language and notation of music and this Unit develops and extends knowledge and skills in this critical area of musicianship. In this Unit you will learn a range of skills in identifying, analysing and understanding the elements of music melody, rhythm, harmony, structure, form and texture. You will do this in context, relating the visual to the aural through listening and performing activities. This, in turn, will help you extend your musicianship skills as you understand more about the relationship of what you hear to what you see and write in your work as a performer and/or composer. The Unit has four Outcomes, each of which covers particular aspects of the theory of music: 1 Identify components of rhythm. 2 Identify key signatures and scales. 3 Identify chords and chord progressions. 4 Transpose music. This Unit is in the optional section of the framework for HND Music. It is also available on a freestanding basis to any candidates who are not undertaking the HN Group Award but would like to broaden and extend their musicianship skills. If you are considering a potential career in music or planning to go on to a music programme in Higher Education, the knowledge and skills covered in this Unit will be invaluable to you. The Unit is likely to be taught in a variety of ways from direct teaching in small or larger groups in practical sessions to online and desktop applications. Assessment will be practical and written tasks and tests, some of which will involve listening to music and/or playing short sections of music from notation. H1M8 35, Music Theory 2 (SCQF level 8) 12