Presents a lesson plan for keyboard instruction excerpted from "Strategies for Teaching Middle-Level and High School Keyboard" (compiled by Martha Hilley and Tommie Pardue. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1996). Provides objectives, materials, required background knowledge, procedures, evaluation indicators, and…

Maintains that the ability and experience of improvisation is an essential component in young musicians' education. Discusses one teacher's trial-and-error efforts in introducing improvisational exercises into her students classical training. Includes a list of resources and representative musical examples. (MJP)

Provides some tips on jazz instruction for the beginning music educator who may not have had much experience in that field. Specifically recommends teaching guide tones, the root, third, and seventh chords, as an invaluable aid to jazz improvisation. Includes musical notation showing guide tones for two jazz standards. (MJP)

Addresses the age-old problem of getting students to play in tune and offers suggestions to correct this problem. Outlines three easy steps: (1) make students aware of existing problems, (2) let students correct these problems, and (3) teach students the idiosyncrasies of their instrument. Includes a list of problem notes. (MJP)

Outlines a series of practical ideas for incorporating the creative activities of composing and improvising into instrumental ensemble rehearsals. Discusses simple techniques and approaches for composing with new notes, rhythms, and concepts, as well as improvisation and in-class compositions. Includes key notation charts and a list of selected…

Provides a rationale for using classical music as the basis of interdisciplinary units in elementary social studies. Recommends beginning with a series of humorous pieces to familiarize students with classical music. Includes many examples for utilizing pieces related to geography and history. (MJP)

THIS RESEARCH PRODUCED AND TRIED A SYLLABUS FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GENERAL MUSIC CLASSES. THE COURSE IS BASED ON (1) A STUDY OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF SUCH CLASSES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THEM, (2) A PARTICULAR AESTHETIC POSITION ABOUT THE NATURE AND VALUE OF MUSIC AND THE MEANS FOR REALIZING MUSIC'S VALUE, (3) RELEVANT PRINCIPLES…

Attempts to identify and describe the characteristics of effective teaching in the piano studio. Videotaped lessons with independent piano teachers and students were evaluated according to specific behavioral measures (general approval, music talk) and separately by pedagogical measures. Includes statistical and tabular data. (MJP)