In a series of three video-recorded assignments over a 6-week period, undergraduate music education students (N = 16) enrolled in an instrumental methods course described aloud what they were thinking about as they practiced a three-note melody on a secondary brass instrument. Later, I completed a content analysis of the students' practice…

Although flow theory is one way of measuring the quality of a student's experience in a music ensemble, the majority of flow research utilizes samples of high school or collegiate level musicians thus causing us to generalize findings to young adolescent (middle school) populations. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, the purpose of…

The type of schedule configuration employed by a school directly impacts engagement and outcomes for high school band students. Research indicates unique benefits and obstacles in block, hybrid, and traditional schedule configurations. While much research on high school band has examined achievement, participation, and instruction, there is a…

Although the effects of focus of attention (FOA) on the performance of gross motor skills are now well understood, less is known about the role of FOA in naturalistic classroom settings where learners are engaged in the ongoing acquisition and refinement of complex motor skills. The purpose of this study, the first of its kind, was to explore how…

In this case study, the author investigated intersections of secondary students' musical engagement in a Songwriting and Technology Class (STC) and outside of school. The study traces the experiences of three individual participants and three participant groups (six embedded cases in total) in the creation, performance, recording, and production…

This case study compares the teaching strategies employed by a novice and an expert instructor of two beginning children's group-piano classes. In the United States, there is a century-long tradition of teaching piano to children in groups, and group teaching is championed in pedagogy texts and at professional educator conferences throughout…

In the interaction between the child and the adult, interest can be a significant motivational initiator of activities. Systematic monitoring and development of the interest in music activities enables the teachers to influence the preschool children in forming a positive attitude towards the art of music. The research involving preschool…

Author offers suggestions for a sound music program for children which circumvents the inability or reluctance of student teachers to sing to their classes. (MB)

Classroom activities for ESL that use music and musical instruments are suggested to develop locomotor skills, auditory discrimination, and reading and writing skills. Such activities could include use of musical instruments, imagination games, writing lyrics, hearing ethnic music, and music-related events and visitors. (MSE)

Classroom activities for ESL that use music and musical instruments are suggested to develop locomotor skills, auditory discrimination, and reading and writing skills. Such activities could include using musical instruments, playing imagination games, writing lyrics, hearing ethnic music, and having music-related events and visitors. (MSE)

This book offers teachers a practical and theoretical classroom guide to the many ways music and stories may be explored, both independently and in tandem, to give students a better understanding and appreciation of each art form separately and of their power together. The crucial aspect of activities described in the book is original productions…

Five course titles are included in this music guide for use in grades 7-9: General Music 1, an introduction to music and musical instruments; General Music 2, a survey of types of music; History of Popular Music; Music--Guitar; and Basic Keyboard. The major objective of each course is predicated on student and teacher observation of the students'…

Contends that, from the earliest possible moment and even before birth, it is apparent that babies respond to sound stimuli. Presents a series of music activities designed to make music an integral part of children's lives. Includes activities involving singing, rhythm, musical instruments, and listening to guest musicians in the classroom. (CFR)

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)