Update: Applications of Research in Music Education current issue

Comments From the Editor

Brittin, R. V. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

The Effect of Positive Peer Reinforcement on Psychological Measures and Guitar Songleading Performance in University Students

Silverman, M. J. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of positive peer reinforcement on self-reported psychological measures and songleading performance in beginning guitar students. No differences were found between the control group (n = 21) and the experimental group (n = 20) concerning psychological measures of self-esteem, stress, and depression. However, the experimental group receiving positive peer reinforcement performed significantly better on a measure of guitar songleading performance than did the control group (p < .001). These results suggest that using positive peer reinforcement in a university music methods class can be an effective technique to improve performance but may not affect psychological well-being.

The 7/8 Piano Keyboard: An Attractive Alternative for Small-Handed Players

Wristen, B., Hallbeck, M. S. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

This study examines whether the use of a 7/8 keyboard contributes to the physical ease of small-handed pianists in comparison to the conventional piano keyboard. A secondary research question focuses on the progression of physical ease in making the transition from one keyboard to the other. For the purposes of this study, the authors stipulated having a hand span of 8 in. or less as defining a "small-handed" pianist. Objective data measures were obtained through the use of surface electromyography (muscle activity measurement) and electrogoniometry (angle measurement). A questionnaire instrument was also used to examine the perception of participants as they experienced playing the 7/8-size piano keyboard in direct comparison with the conventional keyboard. Although objective data findings from this study are somewhat ambiguous, it is clear from the questionnaires that the majority of small-handed participants preferred the 7/8-size keyboard over the conventional one.

Utilizing Internet-Based Videoconferencing for Instrumental Music Lessons

Dammers, R. J. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

This exploration of online applied music lessons focused on nine trumpet lessons between Jeremy, a college trumpet professor on the East Coast, and Kate, an eighth-grade trumpet player in the Midwest. These lessons followed an entry-level videoconferencing approach using personal computers, Web cams, and Skype videoconferencing software. These lessons demonstrated that the format was functional on a basic level. Jeremy was able to provide helpful feedback and Kate showed progress. However, the limitations of video delay and limited visual controls presented sufficient challenges so that this format appears to be only a supplement for face-to-face lessons at the current time. In this study some unique features of online lessons are addressed and recommendations are made for future practice.

Choral Student Perceptions of Effective Motivation Strategies

Stamer, R. A. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

The purpose of this study is to determine differences in choral students’ perceptions of motivation strategies. A survey provided the opportunity for students (N = 515) to identify effective motivation techniques. Students identified director/ student attention and knowledge of results as being highly effective, interest as being effective, and task achievement and level of concern as being somewhat effective in enhancing student motivation. Significant differences, compared by gender and grade level, were identified for several motivation strategies. Implications for choral music educators who wish to enhance their ability to motivate students to learn are provided, as are recommendations for further research.

Focus on Scaffolding Language and Sequential Units During Choral Instruction

Freer, P. K. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

The purpose of the study reported in this article was to investigate the instructional discourse of two middle school choral music teachers videotaped during a total of 24 classroom visits. The findings indicate that teacher attention to complete sequential units of instruction (teacher presentation, student interaction, teacher feedback) may encourage the employment of scaffolding language (language that supports student learning). A focus on scaffolding language corresponded to a decrease in the completion of sequential units of instruction. Choral teachers seeking to foster a constructivist-oriented rehearsal environment may find it advantageous to focus attention on the completion of sequential units of instruction. Similarly, teachers of collegiate methods classes may wish to draw students’ attention to complete sequential units as a precursor to exploring the application of constructivist theory to ensemble rehearsal technique.

Using a Prescreening Rubric for All-State Violin Selection: Influences of Performance and Teaching Experience

Geringer, J. M., Allen, M. L., MacLeod, R. B., Scott, L. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

Performance assessment is an integral part of young musicians’ development. Students enrolled in music programs frequently participate in adjudication festivals and many audition for select ensembles. Outcomes of such events are deemed consequential among all concerned: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Furthermore, the number of all-state applicants for some individual instruments in many states exceeds 100 and in some states approaches or exceeds 200. This is an inordinate number of recordings or live auditions for individuals or judging panels to evaluate. It seems paramount to utilize an efficient yet fair and accurate audition process to assess large numbers of performances in a short period of time. To explore ways of addressing this issue, the authors designed a prescreening rubric with the goal of reducing the number of full-length recordings heard by judges to a more manageable number. The authors then compared ratings of listeners who used the rubric and heard only the étude portion of the audition to scores of trained and experienced judges who heard the entire audition.

The Effects of Band Labels on Evaluators' Judgments of Musical Performance

Silvey, B. A. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:38 PDT

This study investigates the effects of band labels on evaluators’ judgments of musical performance. High school concert band members (n = 72), wind ensemble members ( n = 77), and band directors (n = 8) were randomly assigned to a band label or no label group. Only the band label group was given evaluation forms that specified the group playing the excerpt ("Wind Ensemble" or "Concert Band"). Participants evaluated 12 excerpts and were not made aware that 6 excerpts had actually been repeated twice under varying labels. A two-factor ANOVA showed two significant interactions between label and excerpt presentation order among concert band evaluators in the band label group.