The author attempts to briefly review the current state of music education; relate this situation to theoretical elements of the musical experience; describe the educational strategies required to deal with the complexity of musical experience; and suggest a possible pedagogical and theoretical orientation to the problems of professional music…

The author suggests that instruction in musical improvisation can serve any student interested in music. Improvisation is defined, teaching suggestions are presented, and selected resources for teaching with improvisation are included. The emphasis is on jazz, though most information is applicable to other kinds of improvisation. (KC)

Finger-snapping, toe-tapping music is a prelude to penmanship practice. (Editor)

Offers suggestions for students and teachers for learning jazz improvisation. Discusses listening, practicing scales, chords, phrasing, developing a sense of swing, and shaping creative ideas through structural features. Emphasizes the relationship between chords and scales as a critical key to improvisation. Recommends educational materials to…

Most research in music education has so far dealt with music training in institutional settings, such as schools, and is accordingly based, either implicitly or explicitly, on the assumption that musical learning results from a sequenced, methodical exposure to music teaching within a formal setting. However, in order to realise and understand the…

Music composition is a rewarding activity for students. Through composition, teachers not only address National Standard 4 (composing and arranging music within specified guidelines), but also cover other areas of the music curriculum such as singing, notation, improvisation, form, style, tempo, dynamics, music vocabulary, and assessment. During…

In this article, a professional composer shares his experiences writing music for a middle school band. Michael Colgrass was commissioned, along with fourteen other composers, by the American Composers Forum BandQuest project to write a short piece for eighth-grade band. They were asked to pay a couple of visits to a nearby school to work with…

This article is taken from doctoral research which sought to discover the nature of teachers' pedagogy in the primary school classroom by looking at their understanding of the teaching of composing, their approach to lesson design and organisation, and the way these are reflected in their practice. Specific examples of six case studies involving…

One way to teach the research paper is by first discussing sampling, the musical practice of using other artists' work. By studying the lyrics of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, a widely known hip-hop sampler, students gain an understanding of quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing sources.

The paper considers the innovations and impacts of technology on the fine arts. It explores the effect of technology on how music is taught, studied, performed and created. There is a brief historical account of the recent advances in personal computers, MIDI, synthesizers and music software. The standard of technology competency, set by the…

This book provides both new and experienced music educators with much-needed advice drawn from credible research and established approaches, but also includes practical application for the incredible variety of music classrooms that teachers face today. Kevin Mixon adapts research-based theories to fit typical situations that are not always ideal.…

Educators need to develop teaching strategies that allow children to explore creative musical processes that will nurture musical skills, self-awareness, and imagination. A sequence of five lessons encompassing language arts and music demonstrates how students can develop creativity by writing haiku and then composing music to accompany the poems.…

Article offers a guide to developing an inexpensive musique concrete electronic studio and a short, chronological discography of representative compositions. (Author/RK)

Discusses music concepts and analyzes the process of musical indoctrination and its meaning for the music student. (RK)

Teachers of children with visual impairments are encouraged to create their own useful and age-appropriate songs to help teach orientation and mobility skills to children in preschool to grade three. The songs can be created by writing new lyrics to well-known tunes or by writing new lyrics and melodies. (DB)