M U S I T 3 0 1 - INSTRUMENT FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES

MUSIT301 Apply instrument fundamentals & techniques

REQF Level: 3 Learning hours

Credits: 12 120

Sector: Art and Craft

Sub-sector: Music

Issue date:January, 2012

Purpose statement

This module will introduce to students the basic and generic concepts of music instrument

playing techniques. The module will allow the students to apply the practical music theory

learnt

Learning assumed to be in place

This module must be assessed after the following prerequisite modules : Music notation

Elements of competence and performance criteria

Learning units describe the essential outcomes of a competence.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement

of the learning unit.

By the end of the module, the trainee will be able to:

Elements of competence Performance criteria

1. Perform tuning instrument 1.1 Proper acclimatization of the instrument

1.2 Adequate tuning of the instrument, using device

or by ear

1.3 Appropriate testing of instrument tune

2. Apply playing techniques 2.1 Appropriate application of the tone and the

dynamics

2.2 Appropriate application of the rhythm and time

signature

2.3 Careful application of finger, or grip and hand

techniques according to instrument

2.4 Correct application of basic notions of harmony

LU 1: Perform tuning instrument

1

Learning Outcomes:

1. Acclimatize instrument 2. Tune instrument

50 Hours

Learning Outcome 1.1: Acclimatize instrument

Acclimatization conditions:

Calibration techniques

Security conditions

Temperature and

humidity

Physical characteristics of the instruments

Shapes Fragility

Importance of and types of instruments covers/cases

Instrument handling principles and techniques:

transportation

o Demonstration on handling

safely and calibration of music

instrument

o Group discussion on instrument

security,

temperature and humidity

conditions

o Practical exercises on handling

instrument safely and calibrating

it

- Music instruments - Stands - Shelves - Storage room - Humidifier - Thermometer - Fan - Heaters

Formative Assessment 1.1

Performance criterion

Proper acclimatization of the instrument

Resources Learning activities Content

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Checklist Score

Yes No

Acclimatization conditions: Calibration techniques Security conditions Temperature and humidity

Physical characteristics of the instruments Shapes Fragility

Importance of and types of instruments covers/cases Instrument handling principles and techniques:

Transportation

Observation

Learning Outcome 1.2: Tune instrument

Types of tuning By ear By a device

Types of devices Chromatic tuners Non-chromatic tuners, Pedal tuners

Polyphonic tuners

Strobe tuner

A tuning hammer for

piano

o Demonstration on tuning music

instrument by ear and by using

devices

o Practical exercises on tuning

instrument by ear and by using

devices

o Practical exercises on testing

music instrument tune

- Diapason - Music instruments - Chromatic tuners, - Non-chromatic tuner - Clip-on tuner - Pedal tuners - Polyphonic tuner - Strobe tuner - tuning hammer for

piano

Resources Learning activities Content

Formative Assessment 1.2

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Checklist Score

Yes No

Types of tuning: By ear By a device

Types of devices: Chromatic tuners Non-chromatic tuners, Pedal tuners Polyphonic tuners Strobe tuner A tuning hammer for piano

Observation

Performance criterion

Adequate tuning of the instrument, using device or by ear

LU 2:Apply playing techniques

2

Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply tone and dynamics 2. Apply notes values, rests values and time signature 3. Apply finger or grip, hand and breathing techniques

70 Hours

Learning Outcome 2.1 :Apply tone and dynamics

Sound amplitude and music dynamics: Sound intervals Note tones Tone colour

differences.

o Demonstration on sound waves and dynamics

o Practical exercises on listening to sound intervals

o Group discussion on tone color differences according to the instrument.

o Practical exercises on tone color differences according to the instrument

- Music instruments - Music notation - Music books - Song samples - Computer - CD/DVD players - Internet - Speakers - Videos

Formative Assessment 2.1

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Performance criterion

Appropriate application of the tone and the dynamics

Resources Learning activities Content

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Checklist Score

Yes No

• Sound amplitude and music dynamics:

Sound intervals

Note tones

Tone color differences

Observation

Learning Outcome 2.2: Apply notes values, rests values and time signature

Rhythm, notes, and rests symbols Notes and rests values

Time Signature Simple time Signature Compound time Signature Downbeat and upbeat.

Tempo

o Demonstration on use of notes and rests values

o Group discussion on notes and rests values

o Practical exercises on application of notes, rests values and time signature

o

- Music sheets - Music instruments - Music notation - Music books - Song samples - Computer - CD/DVD players - Internet - Speakers - Videos

Formative Assessment 2.2

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Performance criterion

Appropriate application of the rhythm and time signature

Resources Learning activities Content

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Checklist Score

Yes No

Rhythm, notes, and rests symbols Notes and rests values

Time Signature Simple time Signature Compound time Signature Downbeat and upbeat. Tempo

Observation

Learning Outcome 2.3: Apply finger or grip, hand and breathing techniques

Types of fingering and hand techniques according to instruments

Instrument playing posture Types of breathing

techniques

o Demonstration on fingering and hand techniques

o Practical exercises on fingering and hand techniques

o Practical exercises on breathing techniques

o Video presentation on fingering and hand techniques, breathing and playing posture

o Demonstration and practice on playing posture

- Music instruments

- Music notation - Music books - Song samples - Computer - CD/DVD players - Internet - Speakers - Videos

Formative Assessment 2.3

Performance criterion

Careful application of finger, or grip and hand techniques according to

instrument

Resources Learning activities Content

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Checklist Score

Yes No

Types of fingering and hand techniques according to instruments

Instrument playing posture

Types of breathing techniques

Observation

Learning Outcome 2.4:Apply basic notions of harmony

Elements of harmony: Pitches Intervals Scales Chords Inversions Cadences Sequences

o Demonstration on application of Elements of harmony

o Practical exercises on application of Elements of harmony

o Video presentation on application of Elements of harmony

- Music instruments

- Music notation - Music books - Song samples - Computer - CD/DVD players - Internet - Speakers - Videos

Formative Assessment 2.4

Assessor may collect among the following evidences and make judgements on whether the

performance criterion has been achieved.

Performance criterion

Correct application of basic notions of harmony

Resources Learning activities Content

Types of evidence Portfolio assessment tools

Performance evidence

Task: respect of elements of harmony while playing instruments

Checklist Score

Yes No

Elements of harmony:

Pitches

Intervals

Scales

Chords

Inversions

Cadences

Sequences

Observation

Summative Assessment

Integrated situation Resources

Rubavu-Up is organizing a Music Festival at Umuganda Stadium On 15th October 2014. Mr Cyayi Olomitwa is one of the marquee stars. He is requesting a local band with strong instrument fundamentals and techniques skills to back him up. He is performing ten (10) songs of Ndombolo style in a one set of Forty five minutes (45min). As an Instrumentalist in Jana Band, You have been chosen as Mr Cyayi Olomitwa's backup band.

You are requested to show up at the stadium Three hours before show time.

Assesment Criterion 1: Quality of Process

Checklist Score

Yes No

Indicator: Acclimatization of the instrument is done

Instrument casing fundamentals

Instrument on its stand

Climate situation checked

Indicator: Tuning of the instrument is performed

Instrument electronic tuning

Instrument tuning by ear

Observation

Assesment Criterion 2: Quality of product

Checklist Score

Yes No

Indicator:Tone and dynamics are applied

Overall band volume

Respect of Song arrangement

Indicator: rhythm and time signature are respected

Keeping time (grooving)

Ndombolo time signature

Indicator: Finger, grip ,hand and breathing techniques are applied.

Fingering

Hand techniques

Posture

Breathing techniques

Indicator: Basic notions of harmony are observed.

Pitches

Intervals

Scales

Chords

Inversions

Cadences

Sequences

Observation

Assesment Criterion 3: Relevance

Checklist Score

Yes No

Indicator: Ndombolo style is performed

Grooving(danceable)

Indicator: Punctuality is observed

3 hours before performance

Indicator: Duration of the performance is respected

45 minutes of performance

Observation

Assesment Criterion 4: Safety

Checklist Score

Yes No

Indicator: Posturing is respected

Instrument holding

Instrumentalist Body posture

Observation