S1 Music:
Reporting Window 1

The topics covered this session are:

Performing

• Voice and Tuned Percussion – Term One

• Guitar (Melodic) and Keyboard – Term Two

• Bass Guitar and Drum Kit – Term Three

• Ukulele (Chordal) – Term Four

Learners will have the opportunity to perform music individually and as part of a group demonstrating accuracy within each performance. Learners will also be introduced to ways in which to read music including chord symbols, treble clef, tab and drum kit notation. Through performance directions, include dynamic markings, learners will explore mood and character within a piece of music.

Composing

• Rhythmic Composition – Term Two

• Rondo Composition – Term Three/Four

Learners will have the opportunity to create group compositions which focus on their understanding of specific musical elements including duration and form and structure. Ideas will be captured through the creation of performance plans and in some cases treble clef notation.

Understanding Music

• Pitch – Term One

• Duration – Term Two

• Form and Structure, Timbre, Texture, Tempo and Dynamics (Term Three)

• Song of the Week (Term Four)

Learners will consider the importance of the musical elements and how they impact upon our understanding of music and the ability to perform. Learners will also be encouraged to use music vocabulary to regularly reflect upon their strengths and areas for improvement.

Course Overview

The majority of work covered in S1 Music is based around CfE Level 3 outcomes. 

Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S1 Music:

Third A: Making excellent progress at CfE Level 3, performing well against all the outcomes covered. Can demonstrate the key skills specific to each instrument including performing with accuracy to a standard equivalent to Grade 1 or above. Learners are confident in creating music, independently and as a group, and can follow instructions demonstrating an understanding of concepts to successfully complete compositional tasks. Learners will be consistently demonstrating that they understand and can recall content linked to the musical elements covered and are able to apply that knowledge to practical work and assessments (averaging 70% or more).

Third B: Making good progress at CfE Level 3, performing well against most of the outcomes covered. Can demonstrate the key skills specific to each instrument, including practical unit work, with accuracy. Learners are confident in creating music, independently and as a group, and with some support can follow instructions demonstrating an understanding of concepts to successfully complete compositional tasks. Learners will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall much of the content linked to the musical elements covered and are able to apply that knowledge to practical work and assessments (averaging 60-69%).

Third C: Making reasonable progress at CfE Level 3, performing well against some of the outcomes while finding others more challenging. Is sometimes able to demonstrate the key skills specific to each instrument, including practical unit work, with some degree of accuracy. As a group, learners can create music through the support of others to understand concepts and compositional tasks. Learners will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content linked to the musical elements covered and may be able to apply some of this knowledge to practical work and assessments (averaging 50 - 59%).

Third D: Making some progress at CfE Level 3 but finding many aspects of the course challenging. Is limited to the amount of progression in practical unit work. Learners can also find composition challenging often requiring the support of the teacher and peer group. Lack of conceptual understanding can make compositional tasks difficult to complete. Learners may be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content linked to the musical elements covered but may be challenged to apply this knowledge to practical work and assessments (averaging less than 49%).

Second A to D: While continuing to be exposed to CfE Level 3 outcomes the majority of the work can be very challenging, and most tasks require further explanation and to be broken down into smaller, simplified versions in order to make progress and build confidence.

At this stage in the Music curriculum, pupils on a pathway towards achieving SCQF Level 5 in S4 will be working at Third C or above. 

Further information, including an overview for all subject areas can be found here.