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: 

Read and interpret a musical score 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253174  Read and interpret a musical score 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  30 
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 qualifying learner will apply basic music literacy to enable musical performance.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Reading a musical score.
  • Following a musical score while music is being played.
  • Identifying terms and symbols used within a musical score.
  • Identifying inaccuracies in relation to the musical score that is being performed. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Recognise and interpret clefs, time signatures and key signatures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The recognition of the four most common clefs (treble, alto, tenor and bass) is demonstrated by naming and writing them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The identification of pitches written in any of these clefs is demonstrated by naming the relevant pitch. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The recognition and identification of commonly-used time signatures is demonstrated by naming and describing them according to musical convention. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The range of time signatures includes, but is not limited to:
  • Simple and compound duple, triple and quadruple metres.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The grouping of note values and their implications for accentuation in the various metres is demonstrated according to conventional practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The range of metrical stresses includes, but is not limited to irregular grouping such as syncopation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principles by which key signatures are arrived at are explained and demonstrated according to conventional practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The implications of the use of key signatures and/or accidentals in designating tonality or modality in a given score are explained and demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Follow a musical score. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range of scores should include, but is not limited to:

    Four-part choral works or instrumental quartets, works for small orchestras, bands or jazz combinations and accompanied choral works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ordering of the instrumental/vocal parts is identified in a given score. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Indications of instruments, tempo markings and other expressive directions in selected scores are identified and explained according to standard music practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The musical texture of defined sections is identified and discussed using appropriate musical terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The musical textures may include, but are not limited to, homophony, polyphony, monophony and degree of density.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Examples of specified compositional techniques are identified and explained using appropriate musical terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques includes, but is not limited to:
  • Sequences, doubling, imitation, inversion, chromaticism and modulation.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify inaccuracies in relation to the musical score that is being performed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of the designated instruments/voices is identified as correct or incorrect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The tempo markings and expressive directions are identified as being interpreted or not interpreted within accepted musical practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pitches and rhythmic patterns are identified as performed accurately or inaccurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Structural indications are identified as being correctly or incorrectly interpreted. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The structural indications include, but are not limited to:
  • Da Capo, Dal Segno and repeat signs.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard and the related Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification 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 competence described in the Specific Outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in this Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Practical application of theoretical knowledge to the reading, understanding and interpretation of a variety of musical scores.
  • Identify & interpret clefs, time signatures and key signatures.
  • Musical scores.
  • Compositional techniques.
  • Tempo markings & expressive directions.
  • Structural indications of a score. 
    		•

    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 analysing a musical excerpt using responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team when demonstrating aural and listening abilities while performing. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in demonstrating musical listening and aural abilities in performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion to analyse and interpret a musical excerpt for performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world, as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving in demonstrating musical aural and listening skills occur in a variety of contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors 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 in the field of Culture and Arts or the sub-field of Music at a minimum of NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    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
    Fundamental  59589   National Diploma: Music  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  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.