Provides guidelines to assist band directors in teaching beginning drummers. Includes auditioning prospective drummers and using an instructional method that has mallet and snare drum techniques taught concurrently in one book. Observes that by devoting time and effort to percussionist players, directors can eliminate "drummer syndrome"…

Undergraduate training represents a crucial stage of development for instrumentalists, including singers, as they begin to mature as independent musicians and learners. This paper asks how instrumental and vocal teachers in higher education approach this stage of student development. It focuses on the use of questions by teachers, as they…

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'…

The author examines Maria Montessori's philosophy and methods of music education for children, with its emphasis on sensory, manipulative materials and instruments designed specifically for the young child. (KC)

Recommends singing as an instructional strategy for string and other instrument classes. Maintains that singing familiarizes the student with the music and can serve as an illustrative example of musical techniques. Includes a list of tonal objectives found in repertory songs. Briefly reviews several instructional texts. (MJP)

Contends that many violin and viola students develop preferences based on fear of using more difficult fingering techniques. Recommends that students be exposed to advanced techniques earlier in a matter-of-fact approach. Includes a list of four books recommended for further reading. (CFR)

Discusses the characteristics of a good vibrato in musical performance. Reviews four types of vibrato used by woodwind performers: (1) diaphragmatic/abdominal vibrato; (2) jaw vibrato; (3) throat vibrato; and (4) lip vibrato. Includes two charts with suggestions for teaching diaphragmatic vibrato and jaw vibrato. (CFR)

Gives five examples from music teachers about how they use different types of technology, in particular the electronic keyboard, in their classrooms. Demonstrates the contrasting methods of each of these teachers, but illustrates, at the same time, how they all have met the same ends: to enhance music education through technology. (CMK)

The primary purpose of this study was to examine composition practices in public schools across the state of Indiana, to investigate who incorporates composition and why they chose to use or not use composing tasks. A second purpose was to learn if teachers had an operational definition for composition. Three hundred thirty-nine teachers…

The three approaches of Carl Orff, Zoltan Kodaly, and Shinichi Suzuki to early childhood education can be successfully fused to provide a foundation for a total music curriculum from the nursery to secondary school. Basically, Orff suggests that rhythmic patterns should be experienced in children's natural language as they improvise melodies and…

A course in performaning organization in which students increase performance skills individually and in ensemble with emphasis on stylistic characteristics of the music studied is presented. Course objectives include: (1) The student will recognize the major and minor modes aurally and by notation; (2) The student will identify aurally and by…

A course in introduction to music emphasizing modes and forms is presented. The approach used is a laboratory one in which pupils will develop skill in playing string instruments, sing, listen to, read and compose music with emphasis on identification of elementary concepts of mode and form. Course objectives include: (1) The pupil will select the…

A course in music which emphasizes harmony is presented. The approach used is a laboratory one in which pupils will develop skill in playing orchestral string instruments, sing, listen to, read and compose music with emphasis on elementary concepts of harmony. Course objectives include: (1) The student will select the title of a familiar melody…

A series of films focused on movement education and rhythm training in string playing with emphasis on the violin were developed. An introductory film deals with principles of movement in string playing. Fifteen additional titles offer guidance to the student and teacher in the various details of basic string instruction. A summary film presents a…

Seven string educators respond to questions about repertoire sources for novice players, the teaching of improvisation, weaknesses in current instructional materials, ensemble size, the integration of Suzuki's methods into traditional programs, the problems of a violinist teaching other instruments, and coordination of school and other youth…