National 4 and 5 Music Technology

Brief Course Outline

This course consists of three units:

Music Technology Skills

• Using appropriate hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio.
• Develop knowledge of Music Technology hardware and sound recording techniques.
• Demonstrate practical skills in, sound recording techniques, using appropriate software and hardware.

Understanding 20th and 21st century Music

• Develop listening skills, and knowledge of the music industry, within the context of 20th and 21st century styles and genres.
• Listen to music from a variety of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres and understand how this relates to developments in Music Technology.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the music industry, including intellectual property rights.

Music Technology in context

• Audio projects using music technology and sound production creatively in a range of contexts.
• At least two tasks using Music Technology creatively in a choice of contexts. (e.g. an audio project involving creating music for film, TV or computer games, radio broadcasts or recording live performances.)

The final mark results from:

• Music Technology Assignment (50 marks each)
  Two contrasting audio projects using music technology and sound production creatively. e.g. an audio project involving creating music for film, and an audiobook excerpt.
•  Music Technology Listening Paper (40 Marks)
  Question paper based on recorded excerpts of music linking to the Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music.

Entry requirements
BGE Music Technology (including S3) or appropriate experience in using music technology.

Assessments

• Music Technology Skills is internally assessed.
• Understanding 20th and 21st century Music is internally assessed.
• Music Technology in context is internally assessed.
• Final Assignment is externally assessed on the basis of a submitted assignment (50 marks for each project)
• Listening Exam is based on a written question paper (40 marks)

To achieve a course award, candidates must pass all three units.

National 4 is assessed internally on a pass or fail basis.

National 5 is assessed externally and graded A-D.