Programmed Instruction using Band Literature to Teach Pitch and Rhythm Error Detection to Music Education Students
One of the skills necessary for the conductor of an ensemble is the ability to detect errors of pitch and rhythm in a rehearsal while examining a correct score. This study developed (1) a program to train the ability to detect errors, and (2) a test to measure improvement of this ability. Both the program and the test used full-score band literature of medium-level difficulty. Three forms of the program, each differing in the number of practice frames, were developed in order to determine the optimum length of program needed to effectively train error detection skill. Results showed that programmed instruction was effective in training error detection skill and that the longer forms of the program resulted in greater gains.