Elements and Performance Criteria

Purposes for which analysis is undertaken may include:

research

marketing, including copy for brochures, CD covers or other promotional materials

educational purposes and materials

information

program notes

written or electronic media programs, presentations or live events

performance commentary

Analysis may be presented in:

written or verbal form

Appropriate parties may include:

tutor/teacher

mentor

designated workplace personnel

commissioning agent

marketing and/or promotions agent

editor

producer

presenter

other relevant parties

Specific musical elements to be identified may include:

pitch

melody

harmony/chords

tonality

scales

ornamentation

form/structure

rhythm

time signatures

beat

tempo

timbre/tone colour

instrumentation

sound production

acoustics

texture

form/structure

style

genre

aesthetic qualities

cultural context

relationship to text

interpretation

expression

nuance

phrasing

articulation

dynamics

notation

Performance techniques or characteristics may involve:

musical expression

musical interpretation

demonstrated awareness of performance practice in the style or musical context

articulation

attack

phrasing

intonation

nuance

dynamics

interpretation of the music

technical performance standard

stage presence

communication with an audience

innovative performance practices or processes

other individual performance characteristics

Vocabulary may include:

all customary musical terms commonly used to describe the above elements in the nominated musical style or tradition

Style may include:

traditional, including European classical, or traditional music of any other cultures

all contemporary musical styles

jazz

world

popular

country

folk

all other musical styles, genres and/or traditions

Intended audience may include:

printed or live media audiences

concert audiences

music product consumers

students

the general public

Strategies for developing analytical skills may include:

listening critically to a wide range of live and recorded music

participating in relevant networks, groups or associations

participating in professional development and other learning opportunities

contributing to/participating in, festivals and conferences

being involved in a range of music making activities

studying analytical techniques in a range of styles

Listening may include:

instrument tuning

aural cues

aural imagination

pattern and sequence recognition and memory

recognising music systems and practices

chords, keys in tonal or other musical systems

recalling musical sequences and/or themes from memory

Musical knowledge may include:

repertoire

instrument knowledge

harmony and scale systems

music analyses and research

musical forms, systems, practices and customs

reading and writing music using written music, sheet music and chord charts

interpretation of directions for instrumentation, voicing, expression, timbre, attack, pitch, tempi and dynamics

analysing aural cues

chordal and melodic formulae

Technical skills may include:

understanding of instruments and musical elements

familiarity with a range of techniques to control and enhance performance

performance techniques appropriate to style of music making

technical requirements of relevant instruments

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:
Music knowledge
understanding of chosen styles and genres and the musical forms and conventions relevant to analysis
understanding relevant notation and/or discriminating music aurally to analyse music effectively
understanding and knowledge of repertoire relevant to chosen musical styles and/or genres
understanding appropriate musical protocols
Analytical craft
applying appropriate analytical methods of interpretation relevant to area of specialisation
retrieving and using appropriate resources to develop analysis
demonstrated ability to focus analysis on appropriate musical elements of composition and/or performance
articulating and communicating the analysis appropriately
Technical
understanding musical form and content relevant to chosen analytical work
accurately analysing a variety of scales, chord sequences and music systems, rhythms, time signatures, beat patterns or other elements of musical organisation
familiarity with music in a variety of styles and instrumental/vocal combinations and styles
Expression
articulating music analysis accurately and appropriately
using language appropriate to the intended audience
presenting analysis in a format appropriate to the intended audience or as agreed

Linkages to other units
This unit has strong linkages to, and may be assessed with, the following units:
CUSMGE05A Write music copy, criticism and/or program notes
CUSMGE06A Read music
CUSMGE07A Analyse harmony

Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
demonstrated understanding of relevant systems and musical elements of the music being analysed
responding accurately to aural or written cues
critical listening and aural memory

Method and context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including:
oral questioning on written or recorded music
a relevant samples of work with candidate's evaluation
samples of work plans for planning music analysis
authenticated details of relevant courses or training sessions
authenticated details of relevant commercial or other achievements in musical analysis
relevant portfolio of candidate's analytical work
case studies as a basis for discussion of issues, methods and strategies for music analysis
aural and/or written assessment of analysis in the areas of specialisation nominated by the assessee
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. It is a requirement of this unit that the assessee must nominate the area of music specialisation to be assessed.

Resource requirements
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all of the relevant resources commonly used in music analysis relevant to the candidate's nominated style and mode of expression. Specific assessment tools should include:
printed scores and/or performance (live or recorded) as required by the specialisation to be assessed
recordings or work portfolios

Communicating ideas and information
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(3)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(0)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(2)