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Why study Music?
Music gives you the opportunity to use your imagination and express yourself in a creative and practical way. It helps you to develop important skills such as: playing a musical instrument, communication, creative thinking, using your voice, composing and arranging music. You can develop and consolidate your skills in performing and creating music, and develop your creativity and confidence as you explore and develop your own creative ideas and music.
The skills you learn on this course not only makes a valuable contribution to your general education and personal development but also allows you to develop the skills and knowledge required to proceed to further study and/or follow a career in music.
What do I need to get in?
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
Music is a practical, hands-on subject that develops your creativity and imagination, and your musical skills. You will have the opportunity to create and perform music, developing your performing skills on two instruments, or on one instrument and voice.
You will also develop your skills in composing music, and learn about the kinds of things that influence composers and their work.
The course has three compulsory units.
Music: Performing Skills (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- develop performing skills on two selected instruments, or on one selected instrument and voice
- learn how to play music accurately while maintaining the musical flow
- reflect on your own performing skills.
Music: Composing Skills (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn about music styles and concepts and use this knowledge when creating your own music
- experiment with and use compositional methods and simple music concepts in imaginative ways
- reflect on your own creative choices and decisions and those of others.
Note: Both of these units may be taken with a Scottish Context option, which contributes towards the Scottish Studies Award.
Understanding Music (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- listen to a range of music and music styles in order to develop your understanding of music concepts
- learn how to distinguish between different music styles and sounds
- learn how to identify and recognise simple music signs and symbols used in music notation.
How will I be assessed?
Your work will be assessed by your teacher or tutor on an ongoing basis throughout the course. You must pass both units to get the qualification.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell (National 3)