Music
Learner Pathway
The following Learner Pathway is available for Music:
Course Information
Please click on the + to reveal the course information for each level:
National 4 Music
What will I learn in this subject?
In music you will have the opportunity to explore your talents and express your creativity. You will learn how to develop your skills as a musician, to build confidence in performing and interpreting music and perform more challenging repertoire. You will learn how to identify and describe how different genres of music use similar elements in different ways to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions. You will learn how to create music that expresses your own thoughts, ideas and emotions using techniques that you have learned from studying different genres.
The course consists of 3 units:
The course consists of 3 units:
Performing Skills - you will develop your performing skills on two instruments of your choice (or one instrument and voice), learning to perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument to a required standard (equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 2). You will work to prepare a performing programme of around 8 minutes in duration for your final performance.
Understanding Music - through studying a wide range of music genres you will learn how to identify different music concepts and understand how those concepts shape and characterise the music. You will learn how to identify and describe similarities and differences between different genres and explain how concepts can be used in different ways to change the way that a piece of music sounds.
Composing Skills - having learned how to identify different concepts across a wide variety of genres, you will learn to identify different compositional techniques used by composers. You will explore different approaches to composition to allow you to create a piece of music that demonstrates your understanding of the process and highlights the skills that you have learned.
How will I be assessed?
All pupils will be assessed, as appropriate, throughout the year by means of performing and assessments and will have regular class/department deadlines to monitor progress.
National 4 is assessed internally through:
- A performance assessment featuring a programme of music on both instruments (8 minute duration).
- Completion of a folio demonstrating composition and understanding music skills.
What are the entry requirements for this subject/level?
Pupils must be prepared to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. Instrumental lessons are not essential but may available to support learning.
National 5 Music
What will I learn in this subject?
In music you will have the opportunity to explore your talents and express your creativity. You will learn how to develop your skills as a musician, to build confidence in performing and interpreting music and perform more challenging repertoire. You will learn how to identify and describe how different genres of music use similar elements in different ways to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions. You will learn how to create music that expresses your own thoughts, ideas and emotions using techniques that you have learned from studying different genres.
The course consists of 3 units:
The course consists of 3 units:
Performing Skills - you will develop your performing skills on two instruments of your choice (or one instrument and voice), learning to perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument to a required standard (equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 3). You will work to prepare a performing programme of around 8 minutes in duration for your final performance assessment.
Understanding Music - through studying a wide range of music genres you will learn how to identify different music concepts and understand how those concepts shape and characterise the music. You will learn how to identify and describe similarities and differences between different genres and explain how concepts can be used in different ways to change the way that a piece of music sounds.
Composing Skills - having learned how to identify different concepts across a wide variety of genres, you will learn to identify different compositional techniques used by composers. You will explore different approaches to composition to allow you to create a piece of music that demonstrates your understanding of the process and highlights the skills that you have learned.
How will I be assessed?
National 5 and Higher will be assessed externally through:
- A performance exam on both instruments, to a visiting SQA Assessor (Feb/Mar).
- A final understanding music assessment (April/May).
- A composing assignment.
- Pupils will be assessed, as appropriate, throughout the year by means of performing and assessments and will have regular class/department deadlines to monitor progress.
What are the entry requirements for this subject/level?
Pupils must be prepared to perform on two instruments or one instrument and voice. Instrumental lessons are not essential but may available to support learning.
Higher Music
What will I learn in this subject?
In music you will have the opportunity to explore your talents and express your creativity. You will learn how to develop your skills as a musician, to build confidence in performing and interpreting music and perform more challenging repertoire. You will learn how to identify and describe how different genres of music use similar elements in different ways to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions. You will learn how to create music that expresses your own thoughts, ideas and emotions using techniques that you have learned from studying different genres.
The course consists of 3 units:
The course consists of 3 units:
Performing Skills - you will develop your performing skills on two instruments of your choice (or one instrument and voice), learning to perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument to a required standard (equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 4). You will work to prepare a performing programme of around 12 minutes in duration for your final performance assessment.
Understanding Music - through studying a wide range of music genres you will learn how to identify different music concepts and understand how those concepts shape and characterise the music. You will learn how to identify and describe similarities and differences between different genres and explain how concepts can be used in different ways to change the way that a piece of music sounds.
Composing Skills - having learned how to identify different concepts across a wide variety of genres, you will learn to identify different compositional techniques used by composers. You will explore different approaches to composition to allow you to create a piece of music that demonstrates your understanding of the process and highlights the skills that you have learned.
How will I be assessed?
Higher Music will be assessed externally through:
- A performance exam on both instruments, to a visiting SQA Assessor (Feb/Mar).
- A final understanding music assessment (April/May).
- A composition assignment.
- Pupils will be assessed, as appropriate, throughout the year by means of performing and assessments and will have regular class/department deadlines to monitor progress.
What are the entry requirements for this subject/level?
Achieved National 5 Music.
Advanced Higher Music
What will I learn in this subject?
In music you will have the opportunity to explore your talents, express your creativity and develop your analytical thinking.
The course consists of 3 units:
The course consists of 3 units:
Performance on two Instruments (or one Instrument and Voice) - you will develop your performing skills on two instruments of your choice (or one instrument and voice), learning to perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument to a required standard (equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 5). You will work to prepare a performing programme of around 18 minutes in duration for your final performance assessment.
OR
Performance with Portfolio Option - you will develop your performing skills on one instrument or voice), learning to perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument to a required standard (equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 5). You will work to prepare a performing programme of around 6 minutes in duration for your final performance assessment. You will also work to create a Portfolio of a minimum of two pieces of original or arranged pieces of music of around 6 minutes total duration.
Understanding Music - through studying a wide range of music genres you will learn how to identify different music concepts and understand how those concepts shape and characterise the music. You will learn how to identify and describe similarities and differences between different genres and explain how concepts can be used in different ways to change the way that a piece of music sounds. You will learn how to prepare a written analysis of an extract or piece of music, identifying key musical features and compositional techniques.
Composing and Arranging Skills - having learned how to identify different concepts across a wide variety of genres, you will learn to identify different compositional techniques used by composers. You will explore different approaches to composition to allow you to create or arrange a piece of music that demonstrates your understanding of the process and highlights the skills that you have learned.
How will I be assessed?
The Advanced Higher course will be assessed externally through:
- A performance exam on both instruments (18 minutes duration), to a visiting SQA Assessor (April/May) OR a performance exam on one instrument/voice (6 minutes duration) and Portfolio of two pieces of original and/or arranged music (6 minutes duration).
- A final understanding music exam (April/May).
- Assignment Folio, submitted to SQA (February/March) containing:
1. An analysis of a chosen piece of music
2. A composition or arrangement of one piece of music in any style - All pupils will be assessed, as appropriate, throughout the year by means of performing and understanding music assessments and will have regular class / department deadlines to monitor progress.
What are the entry requirements for this subject/level?
Achieved Higher Music.