Aims
Both National 4 and 5 Music courses are made up of three common mandatory units. These are:
- Music: Composing Skills – learners will develop a range of skills in composing, arranging or improvising in order to create their own original music.
- Understanding Music – learners will develop a knowledge and understanding of music, a range of music concepts and musical literacy.
- Music: Performing Skills - through regular practice/rehearsal and reflection, learners will develop a range of technical and musical performing skills on either 2 instruments or instrument/voice whilst exploring a variety of music.
The National 4 Added Value Unit is a practical activity. Learners will draw on the skills learned either through performance of a programme of music or by using music technology for the creative production of music.
Homework
Homework activities should be about 60 minutes each week, incorporating home practice.
Skills useful to the course
Learners should be:
- Keen to develop an understanding of a variety of musical concepts
- Willing to study a range of musical genres, styles, cultures and contexts
- Happy to practice regularly on their chosen instrument(s)/voice
Value of the course
As well as being hugely rewarding as a hobby, studying Music develops an interest and a knowledge which can be beneficial to certain careers eg primary and secondary teaching, events management, journalism, music publishing, music therapy, professional musician etc. At school, successful completion of National 5 would give the option of studying Higher in S5 and Advanced Higher in S6.