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: 

Tune a piano 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264861  Tune a piano 
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 4  NQF Level 04  15 
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 person credited with this unit standard will able to develop the ability to tune a piano. The qualifying learner will be able to tune full keyboard compass on a piano with action and key in place. This unit standard will also provide good foundation for a learner who wants to specialise in piano tuning.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Identifying and describing tools used in piano tuning.
  • Tuning a full range of notes on a piano with action and keys in place.
  • Identifying and describing tools and equipment used to tune a piano. 

  • 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 or equivalent. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with industry standards and organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, standard operational procedures, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour.
  • All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/or regulatory requirements.
  • Equipment and tools includes but not limited to tuning hammers and wedges. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and describe tools used in piano tuning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The component parts of the action and keys are identified and described according to their function. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools are used and maintained according to manufacturer specifications for a given work task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools, equipment and consumables are correctly selected for the repair process to be executed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems with equipment and tooling are identified and rectified according to workplace requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Tune a full keyboard compass on a piano with action and keys in place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Octaves are tuned up and down from a pre-set scale. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Unisons are tuned up and down from a pre-set scale. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Consequences of not tuning the piano correctly are explained in terms of the sound quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and describe electronic tools and equipment used to tune a piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Electronic tuning devices used for tuning a piano are identified and used in accordance with their design. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Piano is tuned chromatically to pitch with an electronic tuning device. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Using an electronic tuning device is described in terms of the advantages and disadvantages. 


    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 5 qualification in the piano restoration field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this US 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 
    Embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Knowledge of piano components.
  • How to use tuning tools and equipment.
  • Potential problems with tuning tools and equipment.
  • How to rectify identified problems.
  • How to adjust the setting on a piano.
  • Consequences of not tuning a piano correctly.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of using electronic tuning equipment. 

  • 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 making decisions relating to regulating an acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team when repairing, fitting and aligning inner playing mechanism of a piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly while carrying out the various aspects in regulating an acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with colleagues and other team members in reporting wear and tear of an acoustic piano and/or equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the health and safety during the repair process. 

    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  67354   Further Education and Training Certificate: Piano Technology  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.