Assignment Brief

Qualification BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Music (Performing)

Unit number and title Unit 4: Aural Perception Skills
Assignment title The Interview
Start date 1st September 2020
Deadline 4th February 2021
Assessor name A. Clifford

PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

The aim of this unit is to help learners develop a critical ear and knowledge about melodic parts, harmonic progressions, rhythms
and texture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this unit a learner should:
● Know about different intervals and pitches
● Know about chords and chord progressions
● Know about simple and complex rhythms
● Know about harmony and tonality.
SCENARIO
Prepare for an interview for a job as an instrument teacher in a top school. You know as part of the interview process there will
be an aural test where you have to write out a song by ear or compose a song using given features. You will also have to write
an article in advance and give a presentation about it highlighting aural perception skills through a song you’ve analysed and
studied.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

To achieve a PASS grade the
evidence must show that you are
able to:
P1 identify, in a variety of
types of music, simple
intervals and pitches.
P2 identify, in a variety of
types of music, simple
chords and of music, simple
chords and chord
progressions.
P3 identify, in a variety of
types of music, simple and
complex rhythms.
P4 identify the harmony
and tonality used in a variety
of types of music.
To achieve a MERIT grade the
evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass criteria, you
are able to:
M1 describe, in a variety
of types of music, simple
intervals and pitches.
M2 describe, in a variety
of types of music, simple
chords and chord
progressions
M3 describe, in a variety
of types of music, simple
and complex rhythms
M4 describe the harmony
and tonality used in a
variety of types of music.
To achieve a DISTINCTION grade
the evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass and merit
criteria, you are able to:
D1 explain, in a variety of
types of music, simple
intervals and pitches
D2 explain, in a variety of
types of music, simple
chords and chord
progressions
D3 explain, in a variety of
types of music, simple and
complex rhythms
D4 explain the harmony
and tonality used in a
variety of types of music.
 ASSIGNMENTS TIMESCALE GRADING CRITERIA

Assignment 1: The Elements of Music

Describe a piece of music containing simple parts, harmonic progressions and
rhythms. 03 weeks P1, M1, D1, P2, M2,
Evidence: Video and written evidence. D2, P3, M3, D3
Choose a piece of music of your choice, write an article about it and present it to
your peers, pointing out where different elements appear and demonstrating your
understanding of the different features.
Assignment 2: Adding Interest
Either
● Describe and perform or compose a piece of music containing complex 03 weeks P1, M1, D1, P2, M2,
parts, harmonic progressions and rhythms. D2, P3, M3, D3
● Produce a recreation of a track from a CD you have made using your
ears only, rather than finding the score or MIDI files from the internet
along with a description of what you have heard and recreated.
Or
Compose a piece of music containing a list of musical features given to you by
your tutor.
Evidence
● Group or solo rehearsals of pieces containing examples of the above.
● A copy/recording or the music and video of your presentation.
● If applicable, a copy of your composition highlighting where features you
have been asked to include occur.
Assignment 3: Analysing Harmonic Language
Analysis of the harmonic language produced in a variety of pieces of music.
Evidence – Video or paper evidence where: 04 weeks P4, M4, D4
● Learners to identify the tonalities in each piece of music (P4).
● Describe the composer’s intention (M4).
● Compare harmonic and tonal solutions and responses and comment critically
on the similarities and differences (D4).

Tick
Evidence Check List when Justification for document
complete
Choose a piece of music of your choice, write an
article about it and present it to your peers, pointing
out where different elements appear and
demonstrating your understanding of the different
features. Provide a copy/recording or the music
and video of your presentation. This can go into
your diary/Log/blog/vlog
Either
● Performers should produce a recreation of a
track from a CD you have made using your
ears only, rather than finding the score of MIDI
files from the internet along with a description
of what they have heard and recreated. This
can go into your diary/Log/blog/vlog
Or
● Composers should be allowed an opportunity
to include special features of parts, chords and
rhythms studied in their own compositions.
This can go into your diary/Log/blog/vlog
● Diary/Log/blog/vlog with videod and/or written
evidence of your work demonstrating
improvement on at least ten points during the
unit including an opening explanation of each
area of improvement beforehand. Include
videos of verbal tests undertaken and copies
of any written tests undertaken.
● Self-evaluation form.
● Assessor observation feedback form.
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Text Books:

● Adler S – The Study of Orchestration (WW Norton & Co, 2002) ISBN 9780393975727
● Bowman D and Terry P – Aural Matters (Schott, 1995) ISBN 9780946535224
● Taylor E – The AB Guide to Music Theory (ABRSM, 1991) ISBN 9781854724472

Magazines and websites:

● BBC Music Magazine

● www.classical-music.com
● Classic fm magazine https://www.classicfm.com
● NME https://www.nme.com/
● https://www.musicradar.com/guitarist
● Sound on sound magazine https://www.soundonsound.com/
● https://www.worldmusic.net/

Radio:

● The BBC proms is the biggest music festival of any kind in the world and takes place in London each year.  All
concerts are broadcast on BBC radio 3 and television.
● BBC radio broadcasts many interesting programmes on all radio stations and is a major supporter of music.
BBC radio 3 broadcasts largely classical music; BBC radio 2 popular music, folk music, world music; BBC
radio 1 all the latest hits.
● There are many festivals across the UK and Europe each summer which are broadcast; e.g Glastonbury,
Reading.
● radio.garden is one of many apps that will provide a wide range of music from around the world.

Live performance:
● There is no substitute for watching live musicians performing. Watch as much live music as you can.

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Assessor Adrian Clifford

Date
28/04/20
Signature

Internal verifier Dan Anthony

Date
28/04/20
Signature
 Learner Assessment Submission and Declaration

Learner name: Ryan Gabriel Cruz Assessor name: Adrian Clifford

Issue Date: 1st September 2020 Submission Date: 4th Feb. 2021 Submitted on: -

Programme: LEVEL 3 BTEC Music

Unit Number and Title: Unit 4 : Aural Perception Skills

Assignment Reference and title: The Interview

Task Ref. Evidence Submitted Description

Task 1 – The Elements of Music

Task 2 – Adding Interest

Task 3 – Analysing Harmonic

Language

Additional comments to the assessor:

Learner declaration

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources
used in the work.

Learner signature: Date:

Wednesday 3rd February