This page provides an outline of the three key elements of all Senior Phase Music courses: Performing Skills, Composing Skills and Understanding Music.
If you would like any further detail, you can visit the SQA website. Click on the image below to access the SQA Music web page. Please note that whilst past papers are available through the SQA audio is not provided due to copyright restrictions.
Performing Skills
At all levels of the Senior Phase, pupils focus their skills on two instruments of their choice. At National 5-Advanced Higher, Performing Skills account for 50% of the final grade.
Practice on instruments forms an important part of the music course, and pupils are encouraged to practice regularly at home too.
If any pupil does not have access to an instrument at home it may be possible to arrange a long-term instrument loan at no cost. Please speak to your child’s Music Teacher, or Mr Reid (Faculty Head).
BBC Bitesize has great advice for developing Performing Skills.
Click here to access the Bitesize National 5 Performing Skills page.
Click here to access the Bitesize Higher Performing Skills page.
Composing Skills
At all levels, pupils learn how to compose their own original music.
For National 5 – Advanced Higher, composition is worth 15% of the final grade.
Teaching composition includes taking a stylistic approach (e.g. learning how to compose a piece of Jazz music or Classical music) and providing opportunities for free composition.
Music literacy (the ability to read and write a range of music notations) is taught through this aspect of the course.
The following websites are all free and easy to use, and are excellent resources for learning about this area of the course at home:
Teoria – features a range of music theory tutorials.
Noteflight – a free music notation wesbite – create a log in and notate your compositions and musical ideas.
Ableton – learn how to create and sequence music digitally.
BBC Bitesize also has some helpful videos about composing.
Click here to access the Bitesize National 5 Composing Skills page.
Click here to access the Bitesize Higher Composing Skills page.
Understanding Music
At all levels, pupils learn about a range of musical styles and concepts.
For National 5 – Advanced Higher, composition is worth 35% of the final grade.
Below you will find all the styles and concepts you need to know at each level in handy revision guides. Please remember to listen to each style and concept too where possible. YouTube and Spotify are great for this – all you need to do it type in the musical style and they will offer lots of suggested listening!
BBC Bitesize has an excellent range of learner guides to help pupils revise all of these concepts.
Click here to access the Bitesize National 5 Understanding Music page.
Click here to access the Biteseize Higher Understanding Music page.
