ERIC Number: EJ1475976
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Dec
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2731-5525
Available Date: 2025-07-01
Moving beyond Precision: Adapting to New Measures of Learning via Improvisation in Music Education
Discover Education, v4 Article 219 2025
This study explores the pedagogical impact of incorporating improvisation practices into the curriculum of Classical piano students in higher education. Drawing from Bourdieu's social reproduction theory highlighting the concept of habitus, the research investigates how intentional disruptions to students' ingrained Classical training can foster identity development, adaptability, and career readiness. The findings are based on a case study conducted at a Finnish music university, where three Classical piano students participated in weekly free accompaniment lessons focusing on improvisation with non-Classical repertoire as learning materials. The study highlights the challenges students faced when transitioning from their traditional emphasis on technical mastery to a more flexible approach centered on exploration. Physically engrained habits and dispositions that were deeply rooted in their Classical training served as both barriers and opportunities for growth. The findings reveal broader implications for higher education, particularly in preparing students for professional environments that demand flexibility and interdisciplinary expertise. This study underscores the importance of integrating adaptive learning practices across disciplines to equip students with the soft skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing professional landscape.
Descriptors: Music Education, Learning Processes, Creative Activities, Music Activities, Classical Music, Musical Instruments, Self Concept, Adjustment (to Environment), Career Readiness, College Students, Foreign Countries, Discovery Learning, Interdisciplinary Approach, Mastery Learning, Soft Skills, Habit Formation
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1University of Jyväskylä, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, Jyväskylä, Finland