Throughout the time of my teaching career, the tide has exposed changes in the nature of music, students and music education. This paper discusses teaching and learning in contemporary music at seven critical stages of 21st century music education: i) diverse types of undergraduate learners; ii) teaching traditional classical repertoire and skills…

This case study focuses on generalist primary (elementary) school teachers teaching music in an Australian school. With the onus for teaching music moving away from the specialist music teacher to the generalist classroom teacher, this case study adds to a growing body of literature focusing on generalist primary school teachers and music…

This report describes the implementation of arts-based instruction during in-school and out-of-school times. Specifically, it summarizes the results of four components of the inventory: (a) sequential fine arts instruction during school, (b) community arts experiences during school, (c) out-of-school time arts opportunities on campus, and (d)…

The purpose of this collective case study was to explore the best practices in beginning group-piano instruction. Four beginning and intermediate groups of piano students (N =20) were observed. Data were triangulated through in-class observation of students and teachers, teacher interviews and student questionnaires. The master teachers…

A variety of excellent method books aim to help student musicians develop skills in music reading and instrumental technique, but sometimes the best approach is not simply to move ahead line by line through the book. Rather, teachers will find it beneficial to consider apposite strategies to be used before, during, and after rehearsing a line so…

Using a constructionist framework in music, specifically through an emphasis on composition, is revolutionizing the field of music and education by bridging the gap between the novice and professional. Much of the research has been spearheaded by Jeanne Bamberger and others, who noted the computer's potential to highlight what it means to be a…

This article presents activities in rhythm and motor development to precede music reading instruction, then outlines a six-stage sequence for teaching the principles of music notation to beginning instrumentalists. (Author/SJL)

Discusses the need for a clearly articulated, continuous music curriculum in elementary and secondary education. The author stresses the importance of teachers and administrators being willing to share information on teaching techniques as an essential part of a coordinated approach to music curricula. (AM)

The Suzuki talent education method, which combines sequential learning with continual review, is described. The method can be used in developing high levels of musical awareness, technical skill, and artistry in extremely young performers from very different backgrounds. How teachers of choral music might use it is discussed. (RM)

Walk into any primary grade music class in the U.S., and you will likely hear teacher and students singing a musical greeting, such as "Good morning boys and girls" (sol-mi-mi-sol-sol-mi) and the response "Good morning Miss Purdy" (sol-mi-mi-sol-mi-mi). Since about the 1970s, teachers have been beginning and ending music class for young children…

Summarizes an experiment carried out in 1980 with students enrolled in a music theory course for nonmusic majors. Results indicated that competency-based techniques for drill and practice, used by the experimental group on the PLATO system, were more effective than traditional assignments used by the control group. (EAO)

Discusses improvisation as a phenomenon. Offers suggestions for a learning sequence. Warns against allowing students to skip levels. Identifies developmental levels of improvisation as exploration, process-oriented, product-oriented, fluid, structural, stylistic, and personal improvisation. Urges that improvisation can and should be a meaningful…

Examines the relationship of sequential patterns of instruction and individual pattern components (including task presentation, student response, and teacher feedback) to the overall effectiveness of music lessons taught by elementary education majors. Indicates that there were no differences in teacher effectiveness scores based on instruction in…

Describes a study that investigated the feasibility of using computers to teach music notation systems to Chinese students, as well as to help Western educators study Chinese music and its number notation system. Topics discussed include students' learning sequences; HyperCard software; hypermedia and graphic hypertext indexing; and the…

Edwin Gordon took the sequential levels of learning outlined by Gagne and adapted them to audiation (the ability to hear music for which the sound is not physically present) and musical learning. His method of teaching music is discussed. (RM)