N5 Music Technology

Course Overview

The National 5 Music Technology course enables learners to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of music technology and of musical concepts, particularly those relevant to 20th and 21st century music. They provide the opportunity for learners to engage in the development of technical and creative skills through learning how to use music technology in the recording studio and wider world.

Overall, both courses give learners the opportunity to develop basic skills in the use of music technology hardware and software when recording and editing audio. Learners will also have the opportunity to use music technology creatively in sound production in straightforward contexts and to reflect on their own work as well as that of others. These skills will be reinforced through developing an understanding of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres relevant to music technology.

The courses are suitable for learners with a broad interest in music and particularly suitable for learners with specific interests in music technology and 20th and 21st century music. Both courses have a focus on practical work and there is considerable room for personalisation and choice within their practical activities.

You will continue to acquire and develop the attributes and capabilities of the four capacities as well as continuing to develop skills in literacy and numeracy.

Course Content

There are three areas of study and a course assessment. Each of the areas of study of the courseis designed to provide progression to the corresponding areas of study at Higher. The Course

Assessment is conducted externally by the SQA. The course award will be determined on the result of the course assessment and will be graded A–D.

1. Music Technology Skills

Learners will develop skills and techniques relating to the use of music technology hardware and software to record and edit audio. Learners to explore, experiment with and apply a range of music technology resources through practical activities.

2. Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music

Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres. They will also develop a greater understanding of related music technology developments and how their own practical activities relate to these.

3. Music Technology in Context

Learners will use the skills developed in the Music Technology Skills unit and apply these to straightforward contexts such as live performances, radio broadcasts, composing and/or sound design for film, TV themes, adverts and computer gaming.

Assessment

To pass the National 5 Music Technology course and achieve a final award, learners must pass all of the required units and the Course Assessment. This consists of two separate parts – an assignment and a question paper. In the assignment, learners will be expected to plan and carry out two creative productions using music technology. These productions may be in any appropriate context of their choice and often they are inspired by their Music Technology in Context work. There must be a minimum of five parts (at least two of which should involve the use of a microphone) and other mandatory production requirements. Learners must submit a plan of their production, a completed audio master, a record of progress and an evaluation report. This assignment is worth 100 marks, (scaled back to 70) consisting of two production tasks (each with 50 marks). Each production task is allocated 10 marks for planning, 30 marks for the implementation and 10 marks for the evaluation process. The question paper is based on the content learned in the three units and will test learners’ knowledge and understanding of music technology terms, concepts, styles, musical concepts, music technology controls/effects and music technology processes as well as a question on Intellectual Property. This paper is worth 40 marks (scaled to 30). When combined together, both parts of the Course Assessment add up to 100 marks and how well learners score in both of these will determine the final grade they are awarded.

Reminder: To pass the National 5 Music Technology course, learners are required to produce

evidence that meets the requirements of all unit outcomes.

Progression

To Higher Music Technology.