Elements and Performance Criteria

Strategies for developing improvisational skills may include:
working with an expert tutor
listening critically to a wide range of live and recorded improvised music
working with a range of harmonic techniques to develop improvising skills
participating in relevant groups or associations in selected area of specialisation
participating in professional development and other learning opportunities relevant to selected area of specialisation
contributing to/participating in, festivals and conferences in selected area of specialisation
being involved in a range of music making activities in selected area of specialisation
studying improvisational techniques in a range of styles

Listening may involve:
instrument tuning
aural cues
aural imagination to develop the musical materials in performance
pattern and sequence recognition and memory
music systems and practices in selected area of specialisation
chords, keys in tonal or other musical systems in selected area of specialisation
reproduction of sequences from memory

Musical knowledge may include:
repertoire in selected area of specialisation
instrument knowledge in selected area of specialisation
musical elements and customs for improvisation in selected area of specialisation
music analyses and research in selected area of specialisation
musical forms, systems, practices and customs in selected area of specialisation
reading and writing music using written music, sheet music and chord charts as required in selected area of specialisation
interpretation of directions in selected area of specialisation for:
instrumentation
voicing
expression
timbre
attack
pitch
tempi
dynamics

improvisation using aural cues only

chordal and melodic formulae in selected area of specialisation

Technical skills may include:
physical mastery of instruments and musical elements in selected area of specialisation
a range of techniques to control and enhance performance in selected area of specialisation
musical elements and compositional techniques appropriate to style of music making in selected area of specialisation
technical requirements of instruments in selected area of specialisation

Technology may include
use and maintenance of equipment required in selected area of specialisation
use of electronic hardware and software for improvising required in selected area of specialisation
music recording
special effects

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:
listening to and discerning the advice of appropriate colleagues, experts and audience groups to adjust work realistically in line with career development
demonstrating understanding of chosen genres and their musical forms and conventions for improvisation
applying chord schemes to improvisation required
responding appropriately to aural cues
using appropriate chords and scales, forms, textures or other elements of musical organisation in creative work
using a range of improvisation techniques appropriate to the selected area of specialisation
using a variety of rhythms, time signatures, beat patterns and rhythmic styles in selected area of specialisation
practising in a variety of instrumental combinations in selected area of specialisation
demonstrating originality and innovative approaches in improvisation in selected area of specialisation
extending musical boundaries for self and audience
phrasing and shaping music appropriately
understanding and expressing appropriate musical nuance

Linkages to other units
This unit has strong linkages to, and may be assessed with, the following units:
CUECOR2A Work with others
CUSMGE04A Analyse music
CUSMGE03A Use instruments, equipment and/or electronic technology for making music
CUSMGE01A Maintain self or group in music
CUSMGE02A Develop self as artist
CUSMPF04A Prepare self for performance
CUSMPF08A Contribute to backup accompaniment for performance
CUSMPF09A Evaluate and extend performance technique
CUSMPF11A Perform music as part of a group

Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
demonstrated skill in using relevant systems and musical elements in selected area of specialisation
critical listening and aural imagination in developing the musical material in performance
responding appropriately to aural or written cues

Method and context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including:
observation of improvisation
process diary
oral questioning on assessee's performance in improvisation
authenticated samples of assessee's artistic work with candidate's evaluation
authenticated details of relevant courses or training sessions
authenticated details of relevant artistic and/or commercial achievements in selected area of specialisation
relevant portfolio kit, tapes, scores, CDs, videos, biographies of practitioner's work
case studies as a basis for discussion of issues, methods and strategies to develop improvisational practice
portfolios or other documentation which demonstrate the processes used in realising creative concept
Competency in this unit may need to be assessed over a period of time, in a range of contexts and on multiple occasions involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence. The assessee must nominate the area of music specialisation to be assessed.
Assessment may occur off the job, on the job or in a combination of on and off the job. Assessment in this unit requires a practical assessment of improvisation in the nominated area of music specialisation.

Resource requirements
Assessment tools may include:
relevant instruments and/or equipment where practical work is being assessed
authenticated recordings or work portfolios of assessee's work
other relevant participants where practical ensemble work is being assessed
appropriate venue with adequate space and acoustic qualities

Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(0)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(3)