Although technique and natural talent are big factors in music performing, it is suggested that a major skill needed for a developing music performer is the ability to sight-read (Paul), which is an important factor in acquiring and expanding music literacy (Gromko). However, music literacy is a compositional ability that requires many different abilities (Gromko, Lehmann and Ericson).
In relation to studies on English literacy acquisition techniques, little research has been conducted on music literacy. In what research has been done, it is shown that music literacy and sight-reading ability acquisition has not an exact pedagogical technique or theory (Hodges). Given this, a review that examines the research of variables and predictors of sight-reading abilities and music literacy knowledge acquisition has yet to be done. The purpose of this review is to synthesize published articles on the research of music literacy to help give a better perspective on the variables that affect the acquisition of music reading skills. Experiments, a national survey, and general observations were used in this review.
First, the techniques and observations that are used to teach music literacy to musicians will be evaluated. Next, eye pattern movements that have been observed while reading music will be reviewed. Lastly, variables that affect the acquisition of music literacy and the success of sight reading will be introduced.
Teaching and Acquiring Music Literacy Over the years, many
Throughout the reading this week, the information presented in David Elliott and Bennett Reimer’s texts stressed the importance of music and more specifically, music education. “People everywhere find music rewarding, and everywhere we find people engaged in formal and non-formal efforts to teach and learn music.” (Elliott, 2014, p. 4)
The first article explains how music plays a big role in social, physical, thinking and language development. Music quite often provides opportunities to practice patterns, math concepts and thinking
Perhaps the most tangible benefit of music education for students is the increase in their performance in the classroom. People often say, “Music makes you smarter,” but where is the evidence? As South Dakota State University’s Professor Kevin Kessler eloquently stated via email, “How were you
Music education greatly enhances students’ understanding and achievement in non-musical subjects. For example, a ten-year study, which tracked over 25,000 middle and high school students, showed that students in music classes receive higher scores on standardized tests than students with little to no musical involvement. The musical students scored, on average, sixty-three points higher on the verbal section and forty-four points higher on the math sections of the SATs than non-music students. When
* “when you speak with great educators, and look behind the test scores, the lessons learned in studying music, learning to play an instrument, playing in a band, learning to read music, all provide a richness to a child's education that will last a lifetime,” (par 1).
Studies show that music appears to support kids’ normal skills to interpret sounds and words. Learning to read and play music, appears to be related to an amount of assistance for kids, including improved processing of language and better reading skills. Music exercise in kids play develop key skills that will aid them in listening, attention, remembrance, and reading skills. Lisa Miller thinks,” in Europe was as crucial to becoming a cultivated person as knowing the works of Mozart or Rembrandt” ( ). Music is a foundation of human culture; it is a learning device, a way of communication, and, a way of
The curriculum emphasizes phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, oral reading fluency, requires the use of small groups, frequent performance feedback, and uses engaging arts- based interaction with students. In the beginning, students in experimental and control groups had similar reading levels. By the end of the Kindergarten, the program had a positive effect on phonemic awareness and systematic phonics. Between the groups, oral reading fluency had similar gains (Rose & Magnotta, 2012). Denac (2008), looked at the way in which preschool teachers show interest in musical instructional activities. Most of the teachers in his research preferred to use compact disk players to expose students to music. The sample of students were questioned concerning their music preference, data showed greater interest in listening to popular and folk music. Denac noted that the compact disk music used was not mainstreamed popular or folk music and that preschool teachers should pay attention to encouraging the interests of students (Denac, 2008). In a town near Bogotá, Colombia, mainstream music was used as a strategy to develop oral communication in a group of first grade English language learners. The six and seven year old students enjoyed the lesson and appeared to be singing along with the music. Upon further investigation, the students were not making meaningful
“I get that music programs are under intense pressure, that all across America they are sitting hunched over with one nervous eye on a hooded figure stalking the halls with a big budgetary ax”, states Peter Greene. It has become common today to dismiss music’s contribution to the field of education. In the article “Stop Defending Music Education”, written by Peter Greene, the issue if obvious. What the issue is whether or not public schools should teach music and art, since so many students are below proficient levels in “more basic” subjects like reading and math.
Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.
Web. 21 Feb. 2016. This article’s author argues that it is important for music classes to remain available to children in school due to their mental benefits. The author explains that many school boards tirelessly attempt to eliminate music programs, however, there is abundant evidence that supports keeping the programs since learning music can dramatically improve children’s ability to read and comprehend math. The author backs their argument with a plethora of statistics from various sources showing the sharp contrast between the scores of music and non-music students. This article adds to the proof that education can be aided by a student’s understanding of
While active music making is the primary goal of music education, as children mature, they will use their known experience and performance to draw from and move to a focus on music literacy and critical response to music. The abilities to read, discuss, evaluate and create music become key components in the development of future independent musicians. With a focus on active music making, student inquiry, and essential questions, I aim to engage the whole child and optimize learning.
The purpose of this study was to examine if music aptitude, music training, and age affect the integration of words and music
In 2014, Marion Long conducted a study on the effects of rhythm-based music training on children’s reading ability. It was found as a result of the study that music had a profoundly positive impact on children’s ability to read. Of the students tested, after the music intervention, reading levels improved to correlate with his/her chronological age or exceeded their age
There are not many people in this world who do not listen to at least some form of music weather it be pop or rock music on the radio, or the classical music of Beethoven or Mozart. Each genre and style is very unique in it’s own way and some styles are more appealing to one person than another. That is why it is very important to expand the types of music taught in educational music programs.
When people think of the term literacy, they most commonly define it as the ability to read and write, in the verbal sense. But there is a wide range of literacy apart from that, which also requires mastering a set of crucial skills. One such example is musical literacy, which is the ability to read, write, or appreciate music. Musical literacy is not all that different from the verbal kind. Leonard G. Ratner, when speaking of 18th and 19th century music, writes "Both language and music had their vocabulary, syntax, and arrangement of formal structures, subsumed under the title Rhetoric" (xiv). In other words, music, like language, is based on its own set of learned rules, and both serve as a form of