This unit is designed to give learners the knowledge and skills to recognise the role and function of copyright, contracts and relevant income streams available to musicians and provide an opportunity to prepare for employment. The unit will provide a broad overview of copyright and contracts found in the music industry, as well as the role and function of a number of relevant collection societies. The learners will also gain insight into professional development through the exploration of employment opportunities.

This unit will provide learners with a broad knowledge and understanding of composing music. The unit will initially enable learners to develop technical ability through composing music in response to set exercises. Learners will then develop their ability to create, shape and structure musical ideas, undertaking three musical compositions. Learners will gain skills in utilising key musical elements relating to genre, and knowledge of appropriate use of instrumentation. Finally, the learner will evaluate their compositions throughout their period of study, creating a series of programme notes. This unit is aimed at learners studying HNC/HND Music and those wishing to develop their skills in composing music.

This graded unit is designed to provide evidence that the learner has achieved the following principal aims of HNC in Music.

• an ability to develop underpinning 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 skills 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

  Learners will plan and produce a portfolio of work that could be used to showcase their ability in, for example, a job application or interview situation for either employment or further study. They will also evaluate their effectiveness when planning and producing the portfolio.

This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of the practical aspects of working with other musicians to rehearse and stage a live performance. Learners will develop and evaluate the skills necessary for successful live performance in a professional environment. Learners will undertake a series of rehearsals before performing a set live.

This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. Learners will explore note values, note pitch, key signatures, intervals, time signatures, selected scales, chords and chord progressions. Learners will develop skills in notating key signatures, scales, chords and rhythm. This unit is aimed at learners who wish to develop an understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation.

This unit is designed to enable the learner to develop the skills required by a songwriter. This will be achieved through listening and researching the work of existing songwriters or songwriter teams. Learners will examine the work of existing songwriters to gain an understanding of the techniques and key features of their work. Learners will then develop their own songwriting skills through undertaking the process of songwriting using techniques that they have researched.

This unit is designed to develop learners’ knowledge and skills in improvisation. Learners will develop their knowledge through analysing existing improvisations. Learners will then apply this knowledge in the performance of improvisations in two contrasting styles. The unit will be suitable for any learners wishing to develop skills in improvisation and is relevant for those working in a range of genres. As a key musical technique, improvisation can enhance the skillset of anyone wishing to pursue a career or undertake further study within music performance and composition.

This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of recording and manipulating audio and MIDI signals for sound production using digital audio workstations. It is designed to give learners the underpinning knowledge and skills required to use the main functions of a digital audio workstation and to take a sound production project to a conclusion by creating an edited pre-production master incorporating critical listening.