Explore highly practical, in-person courses for teachers. Learn to effectively teach Higher Music Technology and gain hands-on experience of using the necessary software.
Our Higher Practical Assignment courses are designed to provide you with tried and tested teaching approaches, and music technology skills and knowledge to help you support learners to meet the requirement of the practical assignment element of the Higher SQA Music Technology qualification.
What will I learn?
The Higher Music Technology Training will explore the following topics over the two days:
- Planning recording projects
- Recording Make use of 2 Mic types, 2 Polar Patterns, and one Stereo Recording Technique Make use of Direct Line Input Set appropriate gain levels with no distortion. Make use of Virtual/MIDI Instruments.
- Mixing and Producing Use of Creative/Corrective EQ, use of Compression, Limiting and Noise Gates, editing tracks - including 3 takes into one (playlists), applying two time domain effects (Reverb, Delay, Echo, Phase, Flange), manipulating the controls of Virtual/MIDI instruments (LFO) use of a range of mixing techniques including: Volume, Panning, Automation, send and insert effects.
- Creativity
- Evaluations
This course is primarily taught using Avid's Pro Tools music software, however, when working on practical tasks and activities, it will be possible to use the software we have available on our Music Lab computers (Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, or Garageband) if you are more confident using these packages.
Entry criteria
This course is open to all teachers who intend to teach, or who have recently started teaching, SQA Higher Music Technology.
Course dates and duration
Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May 2026.
Delivery mode
The course will be taught in person at our Merchiston campus in our music lab and recording studio.
The course is supplemented with online materials provided through Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment, where you will be able to access resources such as lesson plans, video tutorials, and guides, that will provide ongoing support for you in your role as a music technology teacher.
Cost
£300 including lunch and refreshments each day.
Payment by Invoice
If your employer/school is paying on your behalf and you need to pay by invoice, please email us at:
MusicTechAcademy@napier.ac.uk
We will get back to you with information about how we can facilitate this method of payment and reserve your place on the course.
Additional information
What equipment do I need?
The only equipment we expect course participants to bring with them are headphones with a full-size stereo jack connection (1/4") and something to take notes on. Due to latency issues, we do not recommend using Bluetooth headphones for this course so please ensure you can connect your headphones by cable to the computer. You should also bring a pen drive or hard drive with you to save work - please ensure that it is USB 3.0 and has at least 16GB of storage available.
How will I be assessed?
There will be no formal assessment.
What will I get after completion of the course?
A certificate of attendance will be provided for those who successfully complete the two-day course.
Register your interest
If you have any questions about the course, please get in touch at MusicTechAcademy@napier.ac.uk and include the name of the course you are enquiring about in the subject line.