The systematic study of Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut musical sound and behavior in Alaska, though conceded to be an important part of white efforts to foster understanding between different cultural groups and to maintain the native cultural heritage, has received little attention from Alaskan educators. Most existing ethnomusical studies lack one or…

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.…

A course in introduction to music emphasizing harmony is presented. The approach used is a laboratory approach in which pupils will develop skill in playing percussion instruments, sing, listen to, read and compose music with emphasis on elementary concepts of harmony. Course objectives include: (1) The student will recognize duple, triple,…

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1997 Arts Assessment in Music, which covered eighth-grade students only, regardless of whether they had received instruction in music, show that student involvement in a variety of musical activities (playing an instrument in particular) is positively related to student music…

To define the status of music education in the United States has been practically impossible. The utter lack of systematic courses of instruction, the widely varying standards of merit, and the absence of cooperation upon the part of those engaged in music teaching not only have made impossible any accurate computation of the results which have…

Recommends elementary school projects where children design and make their own musical instruments. Maintains that this familiarizes students with the family of instruments and how they produce sound. The built instruments can be as simple as a washtub bass or as complex as an electronic synthesizer. (MJP)

Reports on an interview with Terry E. Miller, a specialist on music of Thailand and other southeastern Asian nations. Discusses the culture, the role of music, and musical instruments of Thailand. Includes a list of resources and two lesson plans for teaching about Thai music. (CFR)

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)

Contends that keyboard synthesizers can be used effectively in the music education classroom because they are instruments more than they are technological tools. Describes an elementary music program that uses synthesizers throughout the K-6 curriculum. Includes diagrams of classrooms arranged to use computerized keyboards incorporated with other…

Contends that there is a large and enthusiastic audience for introductory music courses at the college level. Describes a one-semester basic music course for non-music majors with three basic components: informing, listening, and performing. Concludes that this experience provides singular opportunity for many students to learn about music. (CFR)

Argues that music educators must begin to use computers in classroom management and instruction. Discusses the results of the Michigan Computer Music Survey that indicated that 50% of band and orchestra instructors were using computers in their work. Provides suggestions for purchasing and using computers in music education. (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)

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…