Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:56 AM AWST
22/07/2026 3:56 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Develop simple musical pieces using electronic media
Develop simple musical pieces using electronic media
Unit of competency
National Code
CUSMCP303A
CUSMCP303A
State Code
D2891
D2891
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/03/2010
Field of Education
100101 - Music
Original Release Date
31/03/2010
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use electronic media to develop simple musical pieces.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to develop music using electronic media
- 1.1 Discuss with appropriate personnel the ways in which digital equipment can be used to develop music
- 1.2 Use practice sessions to explore the features of software applications and computer-based technology used to develop music
- 1.3 Confirm purpose of musical pieces to be developed with appropriate personnel
- 1.4 Identify appropriate musical styles, elements and forms/structures to suit the purpose of the musical pieces
- 1.5 Identify the range of instruments and playing techniques to suit the style/mood of the musical pieces
- 1.6 Identify standard melody conventions to be used in the musical pieces
2. Develop simple musical pieces
- 2.1 Use electronic media to organise musical elements into working versions of musical pieces
- 2.2 Ensure that musical input maintains style of music being created
- 2.3 Listen to work in progress with appropriate personnel and seek feedback on how well the musical pieces meet creative and technical requirements
- 2.4 Incorporate ideas and suggestions into final pieces
- 2.5 Use notation features of software to set down musical pieces as required
- 2.6 Apply copyright notice to the song/musical piece with the name of the songwriter and year of first publication
- 2.7 Present all musical pieces in required file format by agreed deadline
3. Evaluate own musical works
- 3.1 Compare work against previous musical pieces to assess development of techniques and ideas
- 3.2 Discuss strengths and weaknesses of musical works with appropriate personnel and identify strategies for improving own skills in developing music using electronic media
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Appropriate personnel may include:
performer
composer
sound engineer
client
marketing and promotions personnel
artist's agent
tutor
mentor.
Features may include:
virtual instruments
music notation
tracks:
drum
other instruments
harmonic progression
bass line
melodies
harmonies
recording and adding parts to tracks:
in real time
in step time
by importation from other sources
channels
file output formats
audio capture
MIDI support
loops
mixing:
delaying harmonies
adding or changing harmonies
introducing instrumental effects and distortion
adjusting balance, tone and intonation
adding sound elements and effects
note editing:
note on or off
note or pitch bend
control change
program change
keyboard after touch
modulation
pitch wheel
sequencing
changing velocity and volume
mastering
samples
specialist plug-ins.
Software applications may include:
Pro Tools
Logic
Cubase
Ableton Live
Reason
Nuendo
Garage Band
Digital Performer
Soundscape
Sonic Studio.
Purpose of musical pieces may be for:
computer game
screen production
music demo
specific performer or band
mood music as background to an event or function
own personal development.
Styles may include:
acoustic:
blues
folk
gospel
classical
contemporary:
country
electronic
heavy metal
hip hop
industrial
pop
punk
rap
reggae
rock
jazz
dance.
Elements may include:
acoustics
aesthetic qualities
articulation
attack
beat
cultural context
duration
dynamics
expression
form
harmony/chords
instrumentation
interpretation
intonation
melody
notation
nuance
orchestration
ornamentation
phrasing
pitch
relationship to song lyrics
rhythm
scales
shape
sound production
suspensions
tempo
texture
timbre/tone colour
time signatures
tonality
transposition
unity and contrast
voicing
volume.
Forms/structures may include:
air
binary
free/through-composed
mobile
rondo
sonata
strophic
ternary
variation
verse-chorus, i.e. combinations of verse, chorus, bridge and/or other contrasting sections, such as ABA, AABA, etc.
Standard melody conventions may include:
diatonic
embellishments
harmonic rhythm
imitation
leap
melisma
phrase
pitch
repeated notes
sequence
step
turnaround
unison.
Copyright notice may include:
copyright symbol, followed by the name of the copyright owner and the year of first publication
for sound recordings, the letter P (for phonogram) in a circle or in brackets is used.
File formats may include:
AIFF
AC3
WAV
WMA
MIDI
Real Audio
QuickTime
MP3.
Appropriate personnel may include:
performer
composer
sound engineer
client
marketing and promotions personnel
artist's agent
tutor
mentor.
Features may include:
virtual instruments
music notation
tracks:
drum
other instruments
harmonic progression
bass line
melodies
harmonies
recording and adding parts to tracks:
in real time
in step time
by importation from other sources
channels
file output formats
audio capture
MIDI support
loops
mixing:
delaying harmonies
adding or changing harmonies
introducing instrumental effects and distortion
adjusting balance, tone and intonation
adding sound elements and effects
note editing:
note on or off
note or pitch bend
control change
program change
keyboard after touch
modulation
pitch wheel
sequencing
changing velocity and volume
mastering
samples
specialist plug-ins.
Software applications may include:
Pro Tools
Logic
Cubase
Ableton Live
Reason
Nuendo
Garage Band
Digital Performer
Soundscape
Sonic Studio.
Purpose of musical pieces may be for:
computer game
screen production
music demo
specific performer or band
mood music as background to an event or function
own personal development.
Styles may include:
acoustic:
blues
folk
gospel
classical
contemporary:
country
electronic
heavy metal
hip hop
industrial
pop
punk
rap
reggae
rock
jazz
dance.
Elements may include:
acoustics
aesthetic qualities
articulation
attack
beat
cultural context
duration
dynamics
expression
form
harmony/chords
instrumentation
interpretation
intonation
melody
notation
nuance
orchestration
ornamentation
phrasing
pitch
relationship to song lyrics
rhythm
scales
shape
sound production
suspensions
tempo
texture
timbre/tone colour
time signatures
tonality
transposition
unity and contrast
voicing
volume.
Forms/structures may include:
air
binary
free/through-composed
mobile
rondo
sonata
strophic
ternary
variation
verse-chorus, i.e. combinations of verse, chorus, bridge and/or other contrasting sections, such as ABA, AABA, etc.
Standard melody conventions may include:
diatonic
embellishments
harmonic rhythm
imitation
leap
melisma
phrase
pitch
repeated notes
sequence
step
turnaround
unison.
Copyright notice may include:
copyright symbol, followed by the name of the copyright owner and the year of first publication
for sound recordings, the letter P (for phonogram) in a circle or in brackets is used.
File formats may include:
AIFF
AC3
WAV
WMA
MIDI
Real Audio
QuickTime
MP3.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
develop a selection of simple musical works using electronic media
respond positively to constructive feedback on own musical works.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to an environment where music development skills can be applied
access to industry-current electronic media used to develop musical works
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies to assess ability to use musical elements and standard melody conventions
direct observation of the candidate developing musical pieces using electronic media
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of developing simple musical pieces using electronic media.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
develop a selection of simple musical works using electronic media
respond positively to constructive feedback on own musical works.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to an environment where music development skills can be applied
access to industry-current electronic media used to develop musical works
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies to assess ability to use musical elements and standard melody conventions
direct observation of the candidate developing musical pieces using electronic media
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of developing simple musical pieces using electronic media.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWI52 | CUAMCP303 | Develop simple musical pieces using electronic media | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D354 | CUS30109 | Certificate III in Music | Qualification |
| D357 | CUS40109 | Certificate IV in Music | Qualification |