CUSMPF06A Extend technical skills in performance

This unit describes the technical competencies required to extend technical skills and perform a range of simple technical exercises and repertoire. It covers tuning, performance preparation, the accurate performance of pieces, and instrument care and maintenance. This is the third unit dealing with the development of technical skills in performance.

Explore the range and capability of the instrument or voice

• Develop control of the physical characteristics of the instrument or voice and apply to performance
• Extend control over the range of the instrument or voice in performance
• Produce sounds in a range of ways in line with selected musical style and repertoire

Maintain and care for the instrument

• Use appropriate methods to care for, move, use and store the instrument securely
• Where relevant, use instrumental accessories, fittings, maintenance and cleaning products to care for the instrument and enhance performance outcomes
• Tune the instrument appropriately to the required standard and tuning conventions

Plan and use personal practice time effectively to extend technical skills

• Listen to own work carefully to ensure accurate intonation, harmonies and/or rhythm
• Plan and use personal practice to achieve performance goals
• Plan exercises and use practice sessions to extend physical facility and ease with the instrument or voice in performance
• Use good posture and appropriate finger, hand and/or body positions to augment technical facility and maintain healthy performance habits

Perform pieces, excerpts and patterns

• Plan activities and physical exercises to extend own capacity to produce an extensive range of notes, rhythms and/or chord patterns
• Listen to the work of professional musicians to set performance goals and evaluate own performance against those goals
• Seek and use advice on specific and general skills development in own performance
• Play or sing pieces and/or accompaniments with attention to the following as appropriate:
  • rhythmic detail and dynamic range
  • accurate intonation and adjustments to pitch where required
  • increasing rhythmic precision
• Accurately perform all work following agreed tempi and musical markings where relevant
• Develop techniques to improve sound control, intonation, and to achieve some variation in sound and tone as appropriate
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