RJA#2b: Research Topic

I have chosen the topic (or better yet the debated question) is it better to teach someone a musical instrument through active involvement (playing with them most of the time they play) or passive involvement (having lessons and having them practice by themselves)? I chose this topic because of its relation to music education, my major. I have taught percussion, guitar and piano before but and I have my own opinions and knowledge on this topic but I am still debating on which way to lean. I would like to discover more of what others have done and do to help with my teaching.

I gathered the idea for this topic during my World Music class when we were talking about non-western styles of music. I learned that is some cultures, no music is written down so in order to teach it there has to be more active involvement in the teaching process compared to the western style of teaching which requires the student to take lessons and read sheet music for practice. I know that some African drum groups teach through repetition of the hand patterns, instead of just demonstrating the pattern and then requiring the students to practice outside of the lesson. This can solidify the rhythm and pattern but is very time consuming. Issues that can be discussed between the styles of teaching can be based on which one allows for more growth? Which solidifies the material better? Which one works better in certain situations? Which would the students prefer?

In studying this topic, I would like to gain the knowledge of what way of teaching can be best for certain students and situations. I want to know more on the topic of how to go about teaching music students instruments so that they can progress and have more success. I don't know if there are styles of teaching that hang in the middle of active and passive so I would like to investigate to see if there are as well.