Music Technology

Music Department

Music Technology allows learners to develop practical skills in recording, editing and manipulating audio. Pupils work on individual projects to demonstrate practical skills and abilities. Pupils also learn about 20th and 21st century music. This course allows pupils to get creative with sound and technology.

Assessment

National 3

For National 3 you must demonstrate these three units through practical and written activities

Practical skills: you will learn how to record and edit audio.
Understanding Music: you will learn about different musical styles.
Skills in context: you will demonstrate the skills you have learned and how they would be used in a professional context.

National 4

For National 4 you must demonstrate these three units through practical and written assessment without assistance and complete the Added Value Unit.

The units that must be completed are:

1. Practical skills: you will learn how to record and edit audio.
2. Understanding Music: you will learn about different musical styles.
3. Skills in context: you will demonstrate the skills you have learned and how they would be used in a professional context.
4. Added Value Unit: A final project where you must demonstrate:
Planning
Demonstration of core skills
Evaluation

Once you have completed each unit for your level you will have passed the course.

National 5

National 5 music technology is externally assessed.

It has 3 main sections:

Project 1 - externally assessed - March - 35% of final mark.
Project 2 - externally assessed - March - 35% of final mark.
Understanding music: externally assessed listening paper - May - 30% of final mark.

Higher

Higher Music Technology is externally assessed.

It has 3 main sections:

A Multitrack recording
A project which includes your multitrack e.g. Podcast/Sound design for film/animation - April - 70% of final mark
Understanding music: externally assessed listening paper - May - 30% of final mark.

Ideal Candidate

Self Motivated - Can work towards goals independently.
Reliable - Attends class and sticks to deadlines.
Creative - Adds character to projects.
ICT Skills - Comfortable working with computers.
Problem solving - Can work around technical difficulties.

What you will learn

Music Technology Skills

In this part of the course, learners will develop skills and techniques relating to the 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.

Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music

In this part of the course, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century musical styles and genres, and an understanding of related music technology developments.

Music Technology in Context

In this part of the course learners will use music technology skills in a range of contexts such as live performance, radio broadcast, composing and/or sound design for film, TV themes, adverts and computer gaming.