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

Develop and practice improvisation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261337  Develop and practice improvisation 
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  7 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 studying this unit standard will gain an overview of the concepts and techniques that apply to improvisation.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Analysing and applying chord tone improvisation for melodic instruments and phrasing and breaks for un-tuned percussion instruments.
  • Applying embellishments to an improvisation.
  • Applying the blues to improvisation.
  • Applying stylistic improvisation. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse and apply chord tone improvisation for melodic instruments and phrasing and breaks for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Chord construction for melodic instruments and four bar breaks for un-tuned percussion instruments is analysed according to music theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Guide tones and common tones for the diatonic chords of the major scale for melodic instruments and given rhythmic note values for un-tuned percussion instruments are identified according to music theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rhythmical phrasing is selected according to music theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Chord tones and rhythmic phrasing are applied to the chord sequence of a song as an improvisational technique for melodic instruments and suitable comping for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply embellishments to an improvisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Trills for melodic instruments and section figures for un-tuned percussion instruments are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Slides/glissandos for melodic instruments and ensemble figures for un-tuned percussion instruments are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Legato and staccato notes are explained according to music theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The above techniques are applied to an improvisation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply the blues to improvisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Blues chord progressions are identified and analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Blues scales are identified and analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Blues forms are identified and analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The above criteria are applied to an improvisation on a melodic instrument and trading fours in a blues progression for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply stylistic improvisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A shuffle feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A rock feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A bossa nova feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A swing jazz feel is improvised upon. 


    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 
    Embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Improvisation techniques.
  • Improvisation techniques related to different genres. 
    		•

    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 demonstrating improvisation techniques. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team through group presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly in attending and contributing to all gatherings related to demonstrating improvisation skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using language skills in the modes of oral and/or written communication in working with all role-players in the provision of services related to improvisation skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by correctly handling and using musical instruments. 

    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.