Certain aspects of European art music occupy a middle ground between the two cultures described by C. P. Snow almost fifty years ago. Analogies exist not only between mathematics and the ratios underlying musical notation and intervals (i.e., the distance between pitches) but also between computer science and counterpoint (simultaneous melodies):…

A thorny problem faced by many middle school band directors is teaching a large ensemble of students who have a wide range of rhythm-reading abilities and who have studied music using a variety of rhythm-reading methods. Since school schedules usually allow very little time for working with students in small groups, the director must try to bring…

This article discusses a number of techniques that can help teachers attract and keep general music students in their music program. These include: (1) a piano lab; (2) a chime group; and (3) intensive contact with the community.

Most music educators are unaware that one of the earliest known electronic music keyboards for children dates back to 1952. It was unsophisticated in appearance, but much like the inventions of today, the mid-century electronic musical toy piqued the interest of children, and they begged their parents to buy it for them. The invention was named…

For the past century and more, music education in the United States has focused primarily on Western European music traditions. Despite considerable efforts to include music from other regions and peoples in the curriculum, traditional music from world cultures is still not greatly represented. The benefits of a curriculum that incorporates…

Of all the factors used to assess trumpet players, the one that distinguishes the established professional from the student is sound quality. While a good sound may be called "full," "rich," or "dark," poor sound is often described as "constricted," "tight," "thin," or "fuzzy." Although students' concept of good sound is important, many times…

In this article, the authors first address "why" it is beneficial for young people to have the opportunity to be involved in music, and to pursue the development of their musical talent to the fullest. Then, they discuss "how" musically talented young people can be supported in their musical endeavors, drawing on the authors' research to provide…

This article describes the folk music instrument, the dulcimer: its historical background, tuning, playing techniques, and maintenance. Instructions are provided for constructing a dulcimer from a pattern or kit. (SJL)

Suggests the use of ukuleles as instruments to teach music skills and concepts in general music classes. Describes the history, development, and structure of the ukulele. Includes diagrams of an instrument, tuning, C chord tablature, and rhythmic strum. Suggests the ukulele's use in teacher training as is required at the University of Hawaii. (DK)

In this article, the author shares her experiences with teaching room-to-room or "from a cart". Depending on the building's structure, she often carried percussion instruments up and down stairs, pushed full-size pianos in and out of rooms, and transferred student books from one classroom to the next, doing what she thought was her job.Teaching…

In teaching band or orchestra, a teachers often find that beginning and intermediate trumpet players may have trouble reaching notes in the instrument's higher register. In this article, the author offers some ideas and techniques that teachers can use in helping students achieve good sound as they head for the high notes. Producing high-register…

MUSSI is the name of a she-cat from an imaginary story invented and told by children from two elementary schools through different performing modalities. It is also the name of a pilot project of Applied Ethnomusicology funded by a major Portuguese Company, SONAE Sierra, through the local Loures Shopping Centre, which paid for the musical…

The Wolf Ritual, or Tlukwana, with its associated regalia of masks, dances, costumes, and musical instruments, was a major feature of the Nuu-chah-nulth Winter Ceremonies. In common with other Northwest Coast Native nations, the lives of the Nuu-chah-nulth people were controlled by the seasons, and following a summer and autumn of gathering and…

Wind players who become school band directors often struggle with their percussion section. They are not always sure how to deal with the technical aspects of percussion, such as double-stroke rolls or flares. They may also wonder how to get their drummers to stop talking and be ready to play. These questions reveal common concerns among…

A big-band horn section can play the correct rhythms, pitches, and dynamics with good tone and still be unintelligible. If the horns articulate together, however, the improvement will be dramatic. They will much more successfully convey the meaning of the music, and they will sound like a section rather than four or five individuals. In this…