This unit is designed to provide the learner with the skills to develop their technical proficiency on their first study instrument. The unit will begin by developing technical ability through a range of relevant exercises to improve fluency and accuracy. The unit will then give learners the opportunity to implement techniques learned and enhance their performance skills by learning and playing a range of pieces. The learner will reflect on their development through preparing programme notes and evaluating. The unit is aimed at Music students that have a level of proficiency on their instrument.

This graded unit is designed to provide evidence that the learner has achieved the following principal aims of the HND Music:

• an ability to develop breadth and depth of knowledge in music

• an ability to analyse and synthesise knowledge and skills acquired through study

• an ability to develop study, organisational and research skills

• an ability to develop proficiency in musicality, expression and creativity in performance and stagecraft and/or composition and promote sensitivity in musical presentation

• an ability to integrate musical skills in a practical or business application

• an ability to develop competencies in a range of specialised areas in line with preferred career aims

• to enable progression to further study in music or a related discipline

• an ability to develop personal skills and follow music industry protocol

• an ability to develop critical analysis; to reflect on own work and continually strive for best practice

• to enable the adoption of innovative practices and creativity in work and ability to respond quickly to the challenges posed by changes in the music industry

This unit is designed to develop learners’ understanding of the practical aspects of working with other musicians to rehearse and stage a live performance. Learners will develop the skills necessary for a high level of proficiency in live performance. Learners will undertake a series of rehearsals and use evaluation of these rehearsals to improve their set before performing to an audience.

This unit is designed to enable learners to gain a broad knowledge of methods of delivering and promoting music online and to put this into practice by creating an online presence for a musical project. The unit explores platforms for delivery and promotion of music in relation to recent trends, before giving learners the opportunity to upload audio, video and other promotional content.

This unit is designed to provide the learner with an understanding of a range of songwriting techniques. It will extend the experience of learners who have completed some study of songwriting by providing opportunities to explore the key features of a variety of genres. This will be achieved through listening to and analysing existing songs. Learners will then undertake the process of songwriting based on the conventions of a chosen genre studied.

This unit is designed to give learners an insight into the multi-track recording process, related terminology, and key factors concerning the recording of music. It will give learners knowledge of the technical elements of a multi-track session and the opportunity to gain practical experience in recording and mixing music. Learners will use knowledge gained in capturing sound, the signal path and multi-track systems to plan a multi-track session. Learners will then contribute to the recording of a piece of music and create a stereo mix- down of the work.

This unit is designed to develop and extend learners’ knowledge and understanding of music theory. The unit is a direct progression from the unit Music Theory (SCQF level 7) and builds on the knowledge of this unit, covering a range of time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions before giving the learner the opportunity to transpose a melody and chord progression. The learner will develop their skills in musical notation while demonstrating that they can notate the given time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions.

This unit is designed to provide learners with the skills to compose music for the visual arts. This will be achieved by learners creating a composition in response to a chosen piece of visual art and then, to critically evaluate their own work. The unit is aimed at learners who wish to develop a high level of competence in creating music for various visual arts including: moving image, electronic games, still images, sculpture, dance and theatre.

This unit is designed to develop learners’ skills in planning, developing and implementing a music business project. The learners will develop skills in creating a brief, marketing strategy and planning before developing this brief and seeing it through to completion. There will be opportunities for learners to draw on knowledge of marketing and promotion of music as well as relevant business skills in the development of a substantial project.