Music

Course Overview

National 4/5 Music provides a broad practical experience of performing and creating music and develops related knowledge and understanding. 

Performing

Learners will develop performing skills in solo and/or group settings on two selected instruments or one instrument and voice. The minimum standard of piece to be performed is ABRSM Grade 3 (or equivalent) for National 5. 

Composing

Learners will create original music using compositional methods and music concepts creatively. 

Understanding Music

Learners will broaden their knowledge and understanding of music and musical literacy by listening to music and identifying music signs, symbols and concepts. 

Learning and Teaching Approaches

Music lessons will be varied, sometimes focusing upon performance where learners will discuss and agree targets with their teacher and work independently during lessons to achieve them. At other times composition or understanding music will be the focus and this will involve using computer software packages, listening to and discussing music and written exercises. 

Homework

You will receive very little written homework but are expected to rehearse your instruments regularly between classes either at home or within the department after school or at lunch times. You will be expected to prepare accordingly for end of unit assessments. 

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at National 4:

• Internally assessed with no external exam

Course assessment at National 5:

• Performance – 60 marks (50%) 

• Composing Assignment – 30 marks (15%) 

• Question Paper: 40 marks (35%) 

Scaling will be used to achieve the weighting indicated above.