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

Apply music theory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243605  Apply music theory 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Music 
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  8 
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 unit standard forms part of the core learning for any study in music. It will entrench the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to any career in the music industry.

This unit standard will contribute to the development of the learner within the music field by providing recognition, mobility and portability within the various sub-fields of economic activity in the music industry. The skills, knowledge and attitudes embedded within this unit standard are essential for creating a solid foundation to function in the field of music.

Learners accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Using music notation.
  • Specifying time signatures.
  • Recognising key signatures and constructing scales.
  • Recognising and writing chords and chord progressions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Language and Communication, NQF level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy, NQF level 2 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Use music notation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Notes on the lines and spaces on the treble and bass cleffs are identified (within, above and below the stave) in terms of accepted music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sharps and flats are identified and written in terms of accepted music practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sharps and Flats include, but is not limited to: Double Sharps and Double Flats and Accidentals.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The note values of the semi-breve, minum, crochet, quaver and semi-quaver and their respective rests are identified and understood in accordance with accepted music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Dotted, double dotted and tied notes are understood according to accepted music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Music terminology is recognised using appropriate examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Tempo Indicators include, but is not limited to: Accelerando, Adagio, Allegretto, Allegro, Andante, Andantino, Largo, Lento, Meno, Metronome markings, Moderado, Molto, Piu, Rallentando, Ritardando, Ritenuto, Sforzando, Sforzato.
  • Dynamic Indicators includes, but is not limited to: Crescendo, Decresendo, Forte, Fortissimo, Mezzo-forte, Mezzo-Piano, Mezzo-Piano, Pianissimo, Pianissimo, Piano.
  • Performance Indicators includes, but is not limited to: Ad libitum, Coda, Da Capo, Dine, Legato, Pedal, Phrase, Repeat Signs, Staccato.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Specify time signatures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Simple time signatures (duple, triple and quadruple) are recognised and demonstrated according to accepted music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Compound time signatures (duple, triple and quadruple) are recognised and demonstrated in accordance with accepted music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Notes are grouped according to the time signatures in a musical context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Bar lines are added to unbarred phrases to illustrate an understanding of time signatures in accordance with accepted music practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Recognise key signatures and construct scales. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All major and minor key signatures are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All major scales for treble and bass cleffs are constructed in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All natural minor scales for treble and bass cleffs are constructed in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All harmonic minor scales for treble and bass cleffs are constructed in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Key of a non-modulating written piece of music is identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Recognise and write chords and chord progressions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All major, minor, augmented, half diminished and suspended fourth triads are constructed in writing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Guide tones for all the above chords are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Root position, first and second inversions of the above mentioned chords are written and recognised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Perfect and in-perfect cadences are figured using roman numerals. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must hold a minimum of level 4 qualification in the sub-field of music.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessment of this Unit Standard, must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and ETQA guidelines. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Intermediate aural skills.
  • Knowledge of intermediate music rudiments.
  • Intermediate performance skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made in applying music theory. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly in applying key signatures and constructing scales. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively by using language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion in using music notation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by demonstrating an understanding of the handling and usage of musical instruments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of musical contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information:
  • "Basic" refers to Level 2 music related competence.
  • "Intermediate" refers to Level 3 music related competence as described in this unit standard.
  • "Advanced" relates to skills and knowledge related to NQF Level 4 music related competencies. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58143   National Certificate: Music Industry Practice  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.