Music Technology

Course Overview

National 4/5 Music Technology allows pupils to develop technical and creative skills through practical learning, and understand the skills and knowledge required by the music industry. Learners will learn to critically reflect on their own work and that of others. 

Understanding 20/21st Century Music

Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres, and an understanding of how music technology has influenced and been influenced by 20th and 21st century musical developments. Learners will develop a broad understanding of the music industry, including a basic awareness of the implications of 

intellectual property rights.

Developing Music Technology Skills

Learners will develop a range of skills and techniques relating to the creative use of music technology hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio. Learners will explore a range of uses of this technology through practical activities. 

Music Technology Contexts

Candidates gain experience in using music technology skills to capture and manipulate audio and sequenced data, and mix down to an audio master in appropriate file format, in a range of contexts such as live performance, radio broadcast, composing and/or sound design for film, audiobooks and computer gaming. 

Learning and Teaching Approaches

Music Technology lessons will be varied. Sometimes the focus will be on using hardware and software to capture and manipulate sound and writing session logs. At other times the focus will be on listening exercises, learning to identify different musical genres and effects. 

Homework

You will receive very little written homework but are expected to keep up to date with coursework and complete unfinished work between classes either at home or within the department after school or at lunchtimes. You are expected to prepare accordingly for assessments, and may need to use department hardware/software to record and edit between classes. 

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at National 4:

• Internally assessed with no external exam

Course assessment at National 5:

• Assignment – 100 marks (70%) 

• Question Paper – 40 marks (30%) 

Scaling will be used to achieve the weighting indicated above.