Focuses on the research done on children learning the tabla, a northern India drum, and the role of the bols system, or mnemonics, that provides a means for memorizing musical material, generating improvisation, and developing rhythmic skills. Discusses the structure of the tabla lessons and the type of materials taught. (CMK)

Determines what effect tonal-durational manipulations have on listeners' response to three specific categorical decision-types: (1) patterns are the same; (2) pattern K is a derivation of P; and (3) pattern K is distinctly different from P. Finds that item-pair 1 was identified as "same" whereas item-pairs 18-20 were identified as "distinctly…

Investigates the psychological and neurobiological aspects of music learning that is described as a process of incrementally differentiating mental representations. Finds that the verbally trained subjects exhibited an increase over the left cortex whereas the musically trained showed an increase over the right and bilateral brain areas; the…

Proposes a general model of communication that takes place during a musical performance and particularly focuses on the performer-listener communication path within this model. Explores whether the medium is the message, defines the medium and message as separate entities, and demonstrates the applicability of this notion within the realm of…

Evaluates whether preservice primary teachers' confidence to teach music might be influenced by their experiences in a music fundamentals course. Reveals that this type of course developed their musical knowledge and skills and provided them with a strong model for teaching strategies that, in the end, significantly affected their overall…

Compares patterns of rubato usage in four performances of an excerpt from the Mozart Concerto Number 2 in Eb Major for Horn and Orchestra with assessments of musicianship. Indicates that: (1) rhythm is an important aspect of musicianship; and (2) the largest positive assessment change occurred simultaneously with the use of rubato. (CMK)

Investigates the development of rhythmic perception in Italian primary school children and its correlation to other subjects. Demonstrates a significant improvement in fourth graders' ability to discriminate duration and rhythms and indicates very few correlations with other types of school learning. Believes that the results emphasize the special…

Investigates focus of attention of musical elements to ascertain which elements are perceived as the most salient in relationship to Haydn's Symphony #104. Indicates that the subjects did not focus on any particular element while listening to this piece. Asserts that the key to music listening is staying on task. (CMK)

Reports on a longitudinal study of high school instrumentalists that examined the development of four distinct types of musical performance (playing by ear, playing from memory, sight reading, and improvising) over three years. Reveals a significant improvement in these skills while also demonstrating changes in aural and creative activities. (CMK)

Compares the quality of music education in a sample of primary and secondary schools in England during the academic year of 1993-94. Finds that lessons given in primary schools matched the needs of learners and were adjusted by teachers according to student responses. Concludes that primary schools' quality of teaching was higher. (CMK)

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…

Examines the effect of repeated trials on children aged six to nine from different countries learning a new song. States that: (1) culture influences responses; (2) rote singing improves with age; (3) girls responses are better; and (4) children repeat rhythms more accurately before they can pitch match melodic contours and precise pitches. (CMK)

Examines the relationship between childrens scores on a standardized test of musical aptitude, Gordons Primary Measures of Music Audiation, and their performance on specific musical tasks. Suggests a need for a type of test that provides a broader perspective of childrens musical abilities, since there is no correlation between the test and tasks.…

Investigates the reliability and validity of the Bentley Measures of Musical Abilities (BMMA) for predicting musical achievement of students entering the Conservatory Alberto Ginastera (Argentina) by measuring the students improvement over the first four-month term. Encourages the use of the BMMA as a means to evaluating the entering students…

Examines starting pitches and tonality in singing familiar songs when no reference pitch is given and how adults unify key during singing. Indicates that the subjects showed significant differences in starting pitches depending on the beginning pitch range and melody type and lowered or matched their leaders key when establishing a unified key.…