National 5 Course Overview
The National 5 music course consist of three elements that are externally assessed by the SQA;
- Performance (50% of overall grade)
- Question Paper (35% of overall grade)
- Composition (15% of overall grade)
Course assessment : Performance
Performance — instrument 1 (30 marks)
Performance — instrument 2 (30 marks)
The purpose of the performance is to allow candidates to demonstrate skills on either two selected instruments, or on a selected instrument and voice.
The performance can be solo and/or in a group setting. The overall programme must be a minimum of 8 minutes and must not exceed 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The performance time on either of the two selected instruments, or instrument and voice, must be a minimum of 2 minutes within the overall 8 minute programme.
Candidates should perform a minimum of two contrasting pieces of music on each of the two selected instruments, or instrument and voice. These should be of a minimum of Grade 3 Standard.
The performance has 60 marks (50% of the overall course award).
Performance — instrument 1 (30 marks)
Performance — instrument 2 (30 marks)
The purpose of the performance is to allow candidates to demonstrate skills on either two selected instruments, or on a selected instrument and voice.
The performance can be solo and/or in a group setting. The overall programme must be a minimum of 8 minutes and must not exceed 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The performance time on either of the two selected instruments, or instrument and voice, must be a minimum of 2 minutes within the overall 8 minute programme.
Candidates should perform a minimum of two contrasting pieces of music on each of the two selected instruments, or instrument and voice. These should be of a minimum of Grade 3 Standard.
The performance has 60 marks (50% of the overall course award).
Course assessment: Question paper (40 marks)
The purpose of the question paper is to assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of music concepts and music literacy.
Candidates demonstrate their conceptual knowledge and understanding of music by responding to questions that relate to excerpts of music in different styles. A range of question types are used in the question paper. All questions in the question paper are mandatory.
The question paper gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
The purpose of the question paper is to assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of music concepts and music literacy.
Candidates demonstrate their conceptual knowledge and understanding of music by responding to questions that relate to excerpts of music in different styles. A range of question types are used in the question paper. All questions in the question paper are mandatory.
The question paper gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
- aural perception and discrimination
- knowledge and understanding of a range of music styles, concepts and music literacy
Course assessment: Assignment (30 marks)
The purpose of the composing assignment is to explore and develop musical ideas to create music. The assignment has two parts:
The assignment has 30 marks (15% of the overall course award).
The purpose of the composing assignment is to explore and develop musical ideas to create music. The assignment has two parts:
- composing one piece of music
- reviewing the composing process
The assignment has 30 marks (15% of the overall course award).
National 4 Course Overview
National 4 music consists of four internally assessed units - Performing Skills, Composing Skills, Understanding Music and Music Performance.
Music: Performing Skills (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will develop performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice. They will perform level-specific music with sufficient accuracy while maintaining the musical flow. Learners will, through regular practice and reflection, develop technical and musical performing skills.
Assessment: Pupils are required to play two contrasting pieces of music on each instrument that is of a minimum Grade 2 standard as well as reflect on their performance.
Music: Composing Skills (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will experiment with and use compositional methods and music concepts in imaginative ways when creating their own music. Learners will reflect on their own creative choices and decisions, and develop a basic understanding of how musicians develop their ideas and create their music. Assessment: Pupils will demonstrate composing skills through class activities as well as reflect on their music.
Understanding Music (National 4)
In this Unit, through listening, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of level-specific music concepts and music literacy. They will listen to music extracts and identify which specific music concepts are used and where these appear in the music. They will develop an understanding of the distinctive sounds of specific music styles and common music signs, symbols and terms used in music notation. Assessment: Pupils will complete a variety of listening, literacy and research tasks throughout the year to evidence a wide range of understanding music skills.
Added Value Unit: Music Performance (National 4)
This Unit adds value by introducing challenge and application. In the music performance, learners will draw on and extend their performing skills in a new context. Learners will prepare and perform a programme of music in a solo setting and/or as part of a group. Assessment: Pupils will performance an 8 minute long programme of music on two chosen instruments or one instrument on voice. All repertoire must be of a minimum of grade 2 standard.
In this Unit, learners will develop performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice. They will perform level-specific music with sufficient accuracy while maintaining the musical flow. Learners will, through regular practice and reflection, develop technical and musical performing skills.
Assessment: Pupils are required to play two contrasting pieces of music on each instrument that is of a minimum Grade 2 standard as well as reflect on their performance.
Music: Composing Skills (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will experiment with and use compositional methods and music concepts in imaginative ways when creating their own music. Learners will reflect on their own creative choices and decisions, and develop a basic understanding of how musicians develop their ideas and create their music. Assessment: Pupils will demonstrate composing skills through class activities as well as reflect on their music.
Understanding Music (National 4)
In this Unit, through listening, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of level-specific music concepts and music literacy. They will listen to music extracts and identify which specific music concepts are used and where these appear in the music. They will develop an understanding of the distinctive sounds of specific music styles and common music signs, symbols and terms used in music notation. Assessment: Pupils will complete a variety of listening, literacy and research tasks throughout the year to evidence a wide range of understanding music skills.
Added Value Unit: Music Performance (National 4)
This Unit adds value by introducing challenge and application. In the music performance, learners will draw on and extend their performing skills in a new context. Learners will prepare and perform a programme of music in a solo setting and/or as part of a group. Assessment: Pupils will performance an 8 minute long programme of music on two chosen instruments or one instrument on voice. All repertoire must be of a minimum of grade 2 standard.