Study results revealed the following: (1) age affected the children's perception of melodic rhythm, contour, and interval; (2) high-ability singers scored higher than low-ability singers on perception of melodic rhythm, contour, and interval and tonal center; and (3) instrumental experience did not significantly affect perception of melodic…

Performance preferences and students' ideas of "correct" performance were affected by appropriate and inappropriate models. There was a slight difference between boys and girls and an overall preference for fast/loud music over slow/soft music. Correlations between verbal and behavioral preference indications were low but positive. (Author/SJL)

Gives reasons for the introduction of the Beatles' song "When I'm Sixty-four" in English classes, starting with the fourth year of English teaching. Gives suggestions for its use. (IFS/WGA)

Discusses the traditional music of the Agua Caliente band of California's Desert Cahuilla Indian tribe, including accompanying instruments, types of songs, thematic material, and performance routines. Exploring the structure of the music, the article describes meter, tempo, harmony and tonal gravitations, and use of words. (DS)

The field of music performance offers as many opportunities as there are individuals willing to attempt a breakthrough. Yet, this is one of the most difficult careers to succeed in. Here are eight varied articles on being a pop/rock/jazz instrumentalist or vocalist, a classical music instrumentalist or vocalist, a studio musician, a conductor, a…

Two singers of traditional Karuk songs discuss how they learned Karuk traditions, language, songs, and dances; their performance experiences; and their thoughts on cultural revitalization and maintenance, and on cultural property and its exploitation. (SV)

Camp dance programs should be sequenced to maximize campers' comfort levels and create an atmosphere of fun and involvement. Begin with general musical activities that don't involve dancing, such as name that tune. Progress to dances that don't require partners--line dancing, step dancing, and the limbo. Then introduce partnered dancing, using…

Uses the practice of song dubbing in the Hollywood film musical to explore the implications and consequences of the singing voice for imaging practices in the 1930s through 1960s. Discusses the ideological, technological, and socioeconomic basis for song dubbing. Discusses gender, race, and ethnicity patterns of image-sound practices. (SR)

Describes two studies of young children's ability to identify single and combined elements in response to music activities. Reports that children were better able to identify single than multiple elements. Concludes that children's ability to identify elements in their singing develops sooner than the ability to focus on elements in music they…

Presents study results determining effects of vibrato on pitch-matching accuracy. Compares certain and uncertain singers responding to three different models: a child, an adult female singing nonvibrato, and the same adult singing vibrato with less accurate pitch. Concludes that the responses to the nonvibrato model were the most consistent and…

Continues a line of research attempting to ascertain the focus of musicians' attention when listening to music, particularly whether musicians demonstrate consistent listening patterns across excerpts designed to be perceived as good and bad performances. Indicates that musician-listeners consistently discriminated between good and bad…

Two studies examined messages conveyed in infant-directed lullabies and play songs. Findings indicated that adult raters differentiated audio recordings of mothers' lullaby- and play-song-styles with 100% accuracy and performed at above chance level in identifying which music 6-month olds were hearing on silent videotapes. Infants focused…

Divides choral teaching into four steps: analysis, lesson-plan derivation, rehearsal, and evaluation. Reveals that moving from the evaluation step back to the lesson-plan step is a continual process which leads to the culminating experience of performance. States that effective instruction derives from thoughtful preparation, execution, and…

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of harmonic accompaniment on the tonal achievement and tonal improvisations of young children. The specific problems of this study were the following: (1) Does the addition of a root melody accompaniment to song instruction affect the tonal achievement of children in kindergarten and first…

In this article, the author discusses how from time to time, directors choose to program certain works for their ensembles because they fit a unit of study or a specific curriculum need. Unfortunately, published editions that are appropriate for the specific band, choir, or orchestra are not always available for a given work. A novel and…