S3 Music Technology:
Reporting Window 1

The topics we have covered in this reporting window are:

Music Technology Skills

• The Basics - June
  Learners have been introduced to key equipment within a recording studio, and within the classroom context, including its functions and purpose. Discussions have taken place to highlight and understand music and music technology concepts and terminology to further engagement and understanding of practical work.

Music Technology in Context

• Audiobook – Term One

• Sound Design (for Halloween) – Term One/Two

• Electronic Dance Music (EDM) – Term Two

Learners have focused on the creation of an audiobook and sound design for film using Bandlab for Education and Cubase. Through these activities’ learners have become familiar with the functions of a digital audio workstation and how it can be used to support practical work. Learners have also experienced how to manipulate tracks through editing, for example by altering volume, panning and possibly adding effects. Learners have also gained experience in electronic music and/or sound through creating an EDM track using loops within BandLab. Once again, learners have been able to manipulate these loops through editing to create a dance track.

Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music

• Rock – Term One

• Blues – Term Two
  Learners have spent time considering the stylistic features of rock and blues music through class discussion and listening to audio excerpts. This introduction to music of the 20th and 21st century helps learners to understand the technological and musical developments in sound within each genre.

Course Overview

In the absence of any CfE Level, including experiences and outcomes, for Music Technology learners have been given a working grade only. This grade highlights how the learner is progressing with the content of the course.

Working Grade descriptions for S3 Music Technology:

A: Making excellent progress in Music Technology. Learners work well independently and can consistently demonstrate key skills required, within a practical context, showing flair and attention to detail.

B: Making good progress in Music Technology. Can demonstrate many of the key skills required within a practical context, including importing and editing tracks, to achieve a successful project and outcome.

C: Is making reasonable progress in Music Technology. Can demonstrate some of the key skills required within a practical context, including importing tracks, but can sometimes lack the knowledge and understanding to implement further skills, such as editing tracks, consistently.

D: Making some progress in Music Technology but finds many aspects of the course challenging. Learners can require support with practical work and reinforcement of key skills. Projects are completed to a basic standard or can often be incomplete.