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

Apply music theory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261317  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 4  NQF Level 04 
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 will entrench the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to any career in the music industry.

Learners accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Analysing clefs and notation.
  • Constructing and applying key signatures and scales.
  • Analysing and constructing chords and chord progressions.
  • Identifying and memorising music related terminologies.
  • Identifying intervals. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse clefs and notation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Chromatic and diatonic semi-tones are recognised and interpreted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Whole tones are recognised and interpreted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The notation for the alto clef is recognised and formulated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Irregular note groupings are recognised and applied within music. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include but not limited to:
  • Duplets and triplets.
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Construct and apply key signatures and scales. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All major and minor key signatures are constructed and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All melodic minor scales are constructed for treble and bass clefs (ascending and descending). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All blues scales are constructed for treble and bass clefs (ascending and descending). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All Gregorian modes for major scale are constructed for treble and bass clefs (for all keys). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Include the following Gregorian modes:
  • Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse and construct chords and chord progressions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The construction of all major, minor, augmented, half-diminished, diminished, dominant and suspended fourth quartads is illustrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The guide tones for all above chords are illustrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The root, first, second and third inversions for all above mentioned chords are recognised and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The Roman numeral formulae for interrupted and plagal cadences are memorised and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Voice leading for any triadic chord progression is identified and applied. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and memorise music related terminologies. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Music terminologies include smorzando, morendo, perdendosi, risoluto, rubato, voce, tranquillo, poco a poco, andante con, cantabile, congrazia, con spirito, dolce, grandioso, tempo, sempre, and una corde. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Music terminologies are described according to international music standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Music terminologies are memorised and recited according to international music standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Identify intervals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All major intervals up to an octave are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All minor intervals up to an octave are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All perfect intervals up to an octave are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All augmented and diminished intervals up to an octave are identified. 


    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 NQF Level 5 competency in the sub-field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing 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:
  • Aural techniques.
  • Music rudiments. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in a responsible manner using critical and creative thinking in applying music theory in the music industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team in applying music theory in the music industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly while applying the theory of music in the music related workplace. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using language skills in the modes of oral and/or written communication while applying music theory in the workplace. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when using music related equipment when applying music theory. 

    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 
    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  65029   Further Education and Training Certificate: Music  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.