Proposes that music teachers should have their students practice during those spare moments during the school day by using a pencil instead of their actual instrument. Explains that students can practice chromatic fingerings, memorize short pieces of music, or review scales. Gives instructions on how to "pencil practice." (CMK)

Describes an improvised science lesson that grew out of elementary students' interests and questions about music and sound. Students designed, built, and performed with their own musical instruments. (WRM)

Discusses popular music, the role of the musical performer as a creator, and the styles of jazz and popular music. Describes the pop ensemble at the college level, focusing on improvisation, rehearsals, recording, and performance. Argues that pop ensembles be used in junior and senior high school. (CMK)

Investigates the performance-quality ratings among college-age instrumentalists grouped in three solo preparation conditions using no accompaniment, live accompaniment, or intelligent digital accompaniment. Finds that the highest quality ratings across all groups were achieved in rhythm, technique, and articulation; the second performance ratings…

Observes that a major challenge for a general music teacher is to make music enjoyable for students and also assist them in learning music concepts. Illustrates that music teachers can accomplish both of these goals when educating students with special needs. Offers three examples where each special-needs student enjoyed and learned about music.…

Explores whether the tsumari phenomenon appears in the performance of keyboard instruments and maintains that tsumari will be severe among subjects with little music training. Finds that tsumari was seen most conspicuously in this beginner group. Concludes that the structural arrangement of the music plays an important role in the tsumari…

Adult musician's brains show structural enlargements, but it is not known whether these are inborn or a consequence of long-term training. In addition, music training in childhood has been shown to have positive effects on visual-spatial and verbal outcomes. However, it is not known whether pre-existing advantages in these skills are found in…

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of teaching-career level and primary instrument on music teachers' assessment of music performance. The main and interaction effects of three career-level conditions (in-service teachers, upper-division undergraduate students, and lower-division undergraduate students) were examined,…

How do singers approach teaching and learning in the context of performance studies in higher education? And how is their approach distinct from that taken by instrumentalists in the same context? This paper focuses largely on verbal dialogue recorded in 67 instrumental and vocal lessons, in the music department of a UK university. It examines the…

The purpose of this study was to examine the gender differences in the social-psychological constructs of confidence, anxiety, and attitude as they relate to jazz improvisation participation. Three subscales of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitude Survey (1976) were modified for this task, and surveys (N = 332) were given to students of…

One of the most common problems for school music ensembles is the lack of rehearsal time to prepare for public performances. Because of this, music educators all too often feel they need to eliminate various parts of the rehearsal so that more time can be spent on rehearsing performance literature. However, this approach can be shortsighted…

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…

This study analyzed the relationship between MI (musical independence) and placement in college instrumental ensembles, the influence of instrument family and gender on the development of MI in postsecondary students, and identification of those outstanding MI students most at risk of dropping music as their college major. Instrumentalists (N=354)…

This curriculum guide in music is intended for use in grades 1-7 in the early French immersion program. The program is presented as one that contributes to the development of the child, calls for flexibility and diversification, and requires a solid music education on the part of the teacher. The guide presents the following topics: (1) statements…

These resources and activities are intended to introduce primary school children to and help them enjoy and appreciate the children's concerts sponsored by the Honolulu Symphony. The guide is for the symphony program, "It's Circus Time," for children in grades K-3. The instruments used by the symphony are outlined, and pre- and…