Music - Bass: NQ (Level 6)
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Course overview
Tune up your skills and take your first steps toward the stage.
The National Qualification in Music (Guitar) is designed for emerging players who want to build skills across pop, rock, and indie genres. It’s perfect for school leavers, adult returners, or those already active in the music scene.
Over one full-time year, you’ll perform, record, and create original material in a professional setting, rehearsing regularly and performing in venues around Glasgow. Alongside technical guitar lessons, you’ll explore composition, theory, and digital recording software. You will also collaborate with Music Business and Music Performance students to develop and showcase original work.
It’s the ideal starting point for anyone aiming to progress to HND Music or develop as a gigging guitarist.
This course is ideal for:
- Passionate musicians keen to develop performance and songwriting skills.
- Learners aiming to perform live and record music professionally.
- Those seeking structured training and studio experience with industry-standard tools.
- Students planning to progress to HNC/HND Music Performance, Music Business, or Sound Production.
What you will learn
You’ll refine your skills as a guitarist and performer through a mix of technical training and creative collaboration.
- Build strength in chords, scales, improvisation, and tone shaping
- Learn songwriting and arrangement techniques that enhance your artistry.
- Work with bands to prepare live performances, developing stagecraft and communication.
- Record and produce guitar tracks using industry-standard software.
- Experiment with effects, sound design, and genre versatility.
By the end, you’ll have the tools and confidence to perform, collaborate, and record professionally.
Entry requirements
✅ Entry is by audition. You’ll be invited to perform two contrasting pieces in your chosen discipline (bass, drums, guitar, piano/keyboard, or vocals).
✅ No formal qualifications required, though National 5 English is desirable.
✅ Applicants without qualifications but with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
Your audition will be the key factor in selection, focusing on performance skill, musical awareness, and enthusiasm for collaborative work.
ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older at the start of the course.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this course can progress to entry-level roles such as:
🎸 Session Guitarist – live and studio recording
💡 Songwriter/Composer – writing for artists or media
⚡ Performer/Recording Artist – gigging or producing own music
🎧 Music Instructor – private or school-based teaching
Future prospects
Successful completion of the course can lead to:
- HNC/HND Music Performance
- HNC/HND Music Business
- HNC/HND Sound Production or TV Production
This NQ provides a strong foundation for anyone serious about building a career in performance or progressing into higher-level creative study.
