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Flohr, J. W. (1981). Short-term music instruction and young children's developmental music aptitude. Journal of Research in Music Education, 29, 219-2.
| Author(s): | Flohr, John W |
| Title: | Short-term music instruction and young children's developmental music aptitude |
| Source Type: | Journal |
| Source Name: | Journal of Research in Music Education |
| Year: | MENC |
| Year: | 1981 |
| Volume: | 29 |
| Pages: | 219-2 |
| Country Code: | USA |
| Location: | Reston, VA |
| Language: | English |
| Orff Topic Category: | Creativity/Improvisation |
| Secondary Orff Topic Category: | Effect of OS on Music Knowledge/Skills |
| Research Methodology I: | Quantitative |
| Research Methodology II: | Experimental |
| Participants: | 29 five-year-old children |
| Groups: | Three groups: Orff instruction, music instruction, no music |
| Purpose: | To examine the effect of 12-week instruction on young children's music aptitude |
| Independent Variables: | Types of instruction: Orff Schulwerk with emphasis on improvisation, music activities, no music |
| Dependent Variables: | Primary Measure of Music Aptitude by Edwin Gordon |
| Data Type: | PMMA scores, interval data |
| Analysis: | ANCOVA using pre-tests as covariate, t-tests |
| Abstract: | Five-year old children (N=29) were divided into three groups. Group One received music instruction based on the Orff Schoolwork approach with emphasis on improvisation which included question-and-answer games over a bordun, improvising phrase extensions, and playing in response to verbal stimuli. Group Two received music instructions with activities in singing, playing and moving. Group Three did not receive any music instruction. The Primary Measures of Music Aptitude (PMMA) was given before and after the twelve-week instruction to all children. ANCOVA was used to compare post-test scores, using the pre-test as covariate. No difference was found on the three groups using raw scores. Difference was found when comparing music instruction (Groups 1 and 2) and no instruction (Group 3). t-tests indicate that all groups improved on post-test (p<.05). |
| Results/Conclusions: | Twelve-week music instruction increased young children's musical aptitude. |
| Implications for music education (continued research): | All children develop musically. Music instruction, even though short-term, has a positive effect on musical development of young children. Sample size of this study is small. |
| Keywords: | Improvisation, music development, Young children |