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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the development and function of the acoustic piano back-frame 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243308  Explain the development and function of the acoustic piano back-frame 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Piano Restoration and Tuning 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Music 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner will be equipped with the knowledge of the development and function of the piano back-frame to repair and restore the acoustic piano.

Learners accredited with this unit standard will be capable of:
  • Tracing the historical development of the acoustic piano back-frame.
  • Tracing the historical development of the acoustic piano design.
  • Describing the materials used in the modern acoustic piano back-frame.
  • Describing the function of the acoustic piano back-frame. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Language and Communication at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand the historical development of the acoustic piano design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The mechanical means of sound reproduction is described from the harpsichord to the modern piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Factors that influenced the development of the modern piano design are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The development of the key components of the acoustic piano is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components includes, but is not limited to: cabinet, soundboard, bridges, ribs, frame, pin-block, strings, wooden reinforcement beams of the back-frame, action and keys.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The development of the keyboard compass or range is described in relation to music development. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Understand the historical development of the acoustic piano back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The development of the acoustic piano frame is described in relation to the various frames types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Frame types includes, but is not limited to: wooden, half cast iron, three-quarter cast iron and full cast iron.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The historical variations of the tuning pin-block are described in terms of materials and design. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the materials used in the modern acoustic piano back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The back posts and pin-block materials are described in relation to their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Materials include, but is not limited to: laminated beech wood, spruce wood and maple wood.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sound board and bridge materials are described in relation to their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Materials for sound board and bridge includes, but is not limited to: spruce wood and laminate beech wood.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Frame and string materials are described in relation to their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Frame and string materials include, but is not limited to: cast iron, steel and copper.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the function of the acoustic piano back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The structural support of the piano cabinet is explained in terms of the back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The key frame and action of a grand piano are described in relation to the back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The key frame and action of an upright piano is described in relation to the back-frame. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The support of the piano back-frame for the tension of the strings is explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of the integrated competence described in this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Historical development of sound production from harpsichord to modern piano.
  • Historical development of acoustic piano components.
  • Piano back-frame component materials.
  • Piano back-frame function. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems associated with the function of the acoustic piano back-frame using responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a work team to trace the historical and material development of the acoustic piano designs and back-frames. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in tracing the development of the acoustic piano back-frame. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world, as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving occurs in a variety of contexts in the piano industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Qualification related to Acoustic Piano Restoration and Tuning or a related sub-field of Culture and Arts at a minimum of NQF level 3. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58011   National Certificate: Acoustic Piano Back-framing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.