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: 

Understand the theory of tuning and voicing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
377140  Understand the theory of tuning and voicing 
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 5  NQF Level 05  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 
To acquire background knowledge to be able to tune and voice a piano.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Understanding and describing the evolution of tuning systems.
  • Understanding the theory of tuning.
  • Understanding the theory of voicing.
  • Understanding and describing the manufacturing process of hammer heads. 
    		•

    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 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy, NQF Level 4 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. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand and describe the evolution of tuning systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Evolution of different temperaments is described in relation to compositional requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different pitches are described according international standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Alternate methods of laying equal temperament scales are described according to international standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Understanding of consequences and dangers of incorrect usage of tuning equipment is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Understand the theory of tuning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significance of inharmonisity in one's approach to tuning is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The difference in scaling in various pianos is described according to manufacturer's standard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors creating difficulty in the piano tuning process are explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Understand the theory of voicing (toning). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significance of striking point of hammer to string in tonal production is described according to international standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different methods of hammer manufacturing is described according to manufacturers' standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The requirements of different genres are considered in the final voicing of a piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The correct placing of piano is described in relation to the acoustical environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Understand and describe the manufacturing and identification of hammer heads. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different processes in the manufacturing of hammer heads are described according to industry standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The texture of different material used in the manufacturing of hammer heads is described in relation to tonal production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The choice of correct hammer head to a specific piano is explained according to industry standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Perform final voicing/ toning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Final voicing is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of altering tone colour are described and demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods employed in voicing and outcome thereof are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include but not limited to needling at different angles, sections, depths, applied caladium flex, applied lacquer, use of sandpaper, use of iron etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Final voicing is implemented to suit a particular acoustic environment. 


    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 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:
  • Knowledge of piano components.
  • 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. 
    		•

    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 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 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.