Suggests that the bias linking guitars to popular culture has needlessly limited approaches to teaching guitar. Examines how each of five current programs develops different music skills. Advocates a comprehensive, multifaceted program capable of emphasizing student skills in melody, harmony, perception, creativity, and performance over six years…

Advocates using the singing voice and the study of folk music in instrumental instruction. Recommends instrumental teachers confer with voice teachers to coordinate ideas and terminology. Includes several excerpts of scores and musical exercises, as well as a list of selected resources. (MJP)

The purpose of this study was to assess fourth- and fifth-grade students' (9- and 10-year-olds') affective response and ability to discriminate between melody and improvisation after receiving instruction in singing and/or playing a piece in the blues style. Subjects (N= 102) were assigned to one of three equal-sized groups. Group 1 learned to…

This study explored nonverbal communication in one-to-one music performance instruction by investigating relationships among nonverbal sensitivity, nonverbal behaviors and lesson effectiveness. Subjects (N = 120) comprised 60 college teachers and 60 of their non-music major students. Using the Music Lesson Evaluation Form, lesson effectiveness was…

A musical ear is widely accepted as an essential ingredient in the education of successful music students. Most music educators believe that without a well-developed ear, it's impossible for a musician to function on a professional level as a teacher, conductor, performer, or composer. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of…

To enhance school children's understanding of and appreciation for the performing arts, an ESEA Title III project presented live performances by professional brass, woodwind, and string ensembles to children of the 275 public and parochial elementary schools of Bergen County, New Jersey. As part of the program, children read a book especially…

A trunkful of articles representative of local and regional history forms the basis for the exploration of historical issues.

Identifies keyboards as effective vehicles for long-term and in-depth music instruction. Recommends using keyboard instruction as a centerpiece for meeting the National Standards for Music Education. Describes a number of instructional activities supporting this goal. (MJP)

Describes a Chinese lesson during which the techniques for playing the yang-ch'in are taught. Discusses why Chinese teachers use rote instruction in music lessons and why they use poetry and nonmusical scenes as indicators of music's expressiveness. Compares this method of utilizing imitation with U.S. teaching techniques and relates it to…

Maintains that use of the Suzuki, Orff, and Dalcroze methods have assisted string teachers in helping music students achieve mastery from the beginning of instruction. Describes how these methods are used by five music teachers. Includes addresses of organizations that provide information about these music teaching methods. CFR)

Reports on a study of an improvisation curriculum used with 66 fifth-grade music students. Finds that students who received instruction emphasizing improvisation performed at significantly higher achievement levels than students who did not receive such instruction. (CFR)

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of teacher experience on student progress and performance quality in an introductory applied lesson. Nine experienced teachers and 15 pre-service teachers taught an adult beginner to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on a wind instrument. The lessons were videotaped for subsequent analysis of teaching…

This curriculum guide outlines a secondary music program for Alberta, Canada, that aims: (1) to develop skills in listening, performing, and using notation; (2) to encourage students to strive for musical excellence; (3) to enable students to appreciate music; (4) to foster self-expression and creativity; and (5) to make students aware of the…

Organized flexibly, these 17 unit outlines are arranged to provide articulation with lower levels, utilization of student-preferred material, and coverage of the most essential instructional aspects of music appreciation in an increasing order of complexity. Each unit outline contains (1) aims and objectives, (2) vocabulary, (3) suggested and…

This collection of 97 instructional objectives reflects major concepts, fundamentals, and applications in music appreciation at kindergarten through sixth grade levels. The objectives are organized into the following categories: Melody; Harmony; Musical Form (design); Musical Sound; Musical Style; Rhythm Performance Skills; and Band Instruments.…