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

Explain sound and acoustics of the acoustic piano 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243306  Explain sound and acoustics of the acoustic 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 3  NQF Level 03  2 
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 
This unit standard will equip the qualifying learner with the competencies to understand the production and transmission of sound of the acoustic piano at a basic level. These learners will be able to apply this knowledge and these skills to restore and repair the acoustic piano.

Learners accredited with this unit standard will be capable of:
  • Explaining the anatomy of the human ear and how it functions.
  • Explaining the concept of sound.
  • Explaining the transmission of sound in the acoustic piano. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • 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 
    Explain the anatomy and function of the human ear. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The parts of the ear are identified in terms of the anatomy of the human ear. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reception of sound by the human ear is explained in relation to wave theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The perception of sound is explained in relation to the human brain. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the concept of sound. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A basic definition of sound is provided in relation to vibration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Four main parts of a sound wave is explained in terms of wave theory. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sound wave parts include, but is not limited to: wavelength and period, amplitude, frequency and pitch.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The travel of sound is explained with reference to the different mediums. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Constructive and destructive interference is explained in terms of wave theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Beat production is explained in terms of wave interference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Diffraction of sound waves is explained in terms of wave theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the transmission of sound in the acoustic piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The source of sound production is explained in relation to the acoustic piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The function of the different components of the acoustic piano back-frame is explained in terms of sound production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Frequency range of the acoustic piano is identified according to the piano industry. 


    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 
  • Anatomy of the human ear.
  • Functions of the parts of the human ear.
  • Wave theory and acoustics.
  • Sound production and transmission of the acoustic piano. 
    		•

    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 transmission of sound of the acoustic piano using responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to understand the acoustics of a particular acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in assessing the acoustics of a particular acoustic piano. 

    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 4. 
    		•

    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

    Chipping refers to the following process:
  • Plucking of strings using plectrum to activate the string, to establish string tension. All the strings must tremble at equal tension across the whole back-frame.
  • The appropriate tool for this process is the tuning hammer/lever.
  • The process of chipping is achieved by plucking the strings chromatically from the middle to the left and then from the middle to the right.
  • The pitch of the sound is determined by the length, thickness and weight of the strings. 
    		•

    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.