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: 

Apply improvisation techniques 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261277  Apply improvisation techniques 
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  12 
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 learner studying this unit standard will gain an overview of the concepts and techniques that apply to improvisation.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Analysing and applying improvisation using the Gregorian modes.
  • Applying improvisation to common chord progressions.
  • Applying improvisation to extended dominant and passing diminished chords.
  • Applying stylistic improvisation. 

  • 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. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse and apply improvisation using the Gregorian (major scale) modes; and phrasing and breaks for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Diatonic and eight bar breaks are identified by analysing Chord progression for un-tuned instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Diatonic modes are assigned to appropriate chords and given semi-professional rhythmic note values for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rhythmical phrasing is selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Diatonic Modes and rhythmic phrasing are applied to the chord sequence of a song as an improvisational technique for melodic instruments and suitable comping for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply improvisation to common chord progressions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The "I VI ii v" chord progression is identified according to music theory for melodic instruments and section figures for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The "ii v" chord progression is identified according to music theory for melodic instruments and ensemble figures for un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The "ii-7b5 v7 (b9)" progression is identified according to music theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The diatonic modes are applied to the common chord progressions to form an improvisation for melodic instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply improvisation to extended dominants and passing diminished chords. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Extended dominant chord progressions are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Suitable modes/scales/arpeggios are identified by all instruments and applied in an improvisation over the chord progression by all melodic instruments with suitable comping by un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common passing diminished chord progressions are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Suitable whole/half or half/whole diminished scale are identified by all instruments and applied in an improvisation over the chord progression by melodic instruments with suitable comping by un-tuned percussion instruments. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply stylistic improvisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A shuffle feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A rock feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A samba feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A swing jazz feel is improvised upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A 3/4 or 6/8 feel is improvised upon. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must hold a minimum of Level 6 competency in the music field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard, must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and ETQA guidelines. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Improvisation techniques.
  • Improvisation in different genres. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking has been made by identifying and solving problems in applying improvisation techniques. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team, group while interacting with various stakeholders in the music industry and the society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and others activities responsibly to achieve personal and workplace objectives. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written communication when applying improvisation techniques in a group presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large by enabling employment in the music industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    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
    Core  65050   National Certificate: Music  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.