In this article, the author offers a perspective on why humans like music and what it means for music education. The author builds his discussion around the following five basic premises: (1) since the dawn of civilization, humans have used their voices and the musical instruments they invented to express emotions in sounds that vary in pitch,…

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of computer-assisted musical instruction (CAMI) in the Learning Chinese Musical Instruments (LCMI) course. The CAMI software for Chinese musical instruments was developed and administered to 228 students in a vocational high school. A pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design with three…

This article explores the process of determining an approach to the analysis of qualitative data collected as part of a case study research project involving children and teenagers from a community of musical practice--an all ages community-based fiddle group in central Scotland. The researcher's overarching goal is to find ways to increase…

Although many adults take up or return to instrumental and vocal tuition every year, we know very little about how they experience it. As part of ongoing case study research, eight older learners with modest keyboard skills explored what their musical skills meant to them during conversation-based repertory grid interviews. The data were…

Classroom activities for ESL that use music and musical instruments are suggested to develop locomotor skills, auditory discrimination, and reading and writing skills. Such activities could include use of musical instruments, imagination games, writing lyrics, hearing ethnic music, and music-related events and visitors. (MSE)

Classroom activities for ESL that use music and musical instruments are suggested to develop locomotor skills, auditory discrimination, and reading and writing skills. Such activities could include using musical instruments, playing imagination games, writing lyrics, hearing ethnic music, and having music-related events and visitors. (MSE)

Analyzes the music and musical instruments of India and the countries around it that comprise South Asia. (RK)

Developed to acquaint students with the Honolulu (Hawaii) Youth Symphony Concerts program, this booklet focuses on information and activities to help make concert attendance meaningful and enjoyable for students. Goals and learning concepts are described, and information about each of the symphony's musical instruments is included. The chronology…

A series of activities are described to introduce students to musical instruments. Children learn about woodwind, string, percussion, and brass instruments through observation of musicians, hands-on experiences, and recordings. Sample recordings and a bibliography are listed. (DF)

This booklet provides a two day lesson plan that may be used by teachers in conjunction with a videotape program to familiarize their students with Chinese music, musical instruments, and playing techniques. Appended are descriptions and photographs of popular Chinese instruments, a guide to Chinese music resources in the San Francisco Bay area,…

Mini-concerts performed by older elementary school students were given in a kindergarten classroom to fill unscheduled time and to introduce children to musical instruments of the orchestra. Young players presented their instruments, explored their varied sounds, and shared their knowledge that the creation of music requires practice and effort,…

For many people, the appeal of music lies in its connection to human emotions. A significant body of research has explored the emotions that are experienced through either the formal structure of music or through its symbolic messages. Yet in the instrumental music education field, this emotional connection is rarely examined. In this article, it…

Designed as a resource for elementary teachers, this booklet contains proven classroom activities and lesson plans as well as a human resource guide to help incorporate music into the K-6 curriculum. Fourteen lesson plans grouped by grades K-3 or 4-6 comprise the first section. For each lesson instructional objective, time estimate, materials,…

An experimental course for the study of acoustics is taught at Hampshire College for students interested in the interface of physics and music. This paper outlines the course, describes the basic techniques it employs, gives examples of successful exercises, and discusses some difficulties not yet overcome. Computers are heavily utilized, removing…

For nine years the National Assessment of Education Progress has attempted to measure behaviors that are assumed to correlate with sensitivity to music and analytic skills typically taught in the classroom. These skills included musical performance, ability to use traditional notation, ability to discriminate and label instruments and voices,…