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BehnNicoleAnne2004 mt.pdf (984.78 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Content of secondary applied instrumental methods courses at selected colleges and universities

Behn, Nicole Anne
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406631556

Abstract Details

2004, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Music.
This thesis investigates the structure and curriculum of the secondary applied instrumental methods courses at various universities, sometimes just called “methods” or “techniques” courses. It addresses the following questions: How should these courses be structured? Who should teach these courses? On what should the curriculum of these courses focus? The study included brass, woodwind, and percussion classes. After reading related literature on the subject, I gathered data in two ways: First, I devised a survey to question area music teachers about their own perceptions of the course when they took it at their respective colleges and universities. Second, I contacted colleges and universities throughout the state of Ohio requesting information concerning the structure and curriculum of their courses, as well as requesting a copy of the course syllabus. After analyzing the results, I found that most schools organize the course by instrument family, with each family receiving one or two quarters or semesters of instruction. Courses are equally likely to be taught by applied performance faculty as music education faculty, and while overall there were more courses taught by professors than by graduate teaching associates, the later the graduation date, the more likely a student is to have been taught by a graduate student. Most brass and woodwind methods courses focus on teaching basic skills such as embouchure formation, hand/body position, teaching tone production, diagnosis of performance problems, knowledge of playing ranges and knowledge of fingerings. Many survey participants indicated that they would have liked more time overall in their methods classes, especially with particular instruments such as the double reeds. They also indicated a desire for more training on basic instrument repair. Students also indicated that little attention was given to arranging music, transpositions, and evaluating method books, however, some of these topics are covered in other courses. With regard to the percussion classes, respondents indicated that the majority of class time was spent learning snare drum and rudiments. Little attention was given to drum set and auxiliary percussion instruments. The amount of time dedicated to mallet instruments and timpani increased with a later graduation date. Students again mentioned an increased need for knowledge of basic maintenance and repairs and evaluation of method books.
Patricia Flowers (Advisor)
James Akins (Committee Member)
Jacqueline Henninger (Committee Member)
76 p.
Music

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Behn, N. A. (2004). Content of secondary applied instrumental methods courses at selected colleges and universities [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406631556

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Behn, Nicole. Content of secondary applied instrumental methods courses at selected colleges and universities. 2004. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406631556.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Behn, Nicole. "Content of secondary applied instrumental methods courses at selected colleges and universities." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406631556

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1406631556
137
© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.