Piano training enhances Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy in older adults with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly associated with motor symptoms; however, many patients with PD exhibit decline in executive functions. Executive functions refer to a broad array of generalized cognitive abilities such as cognitive control and working memory. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a novel intense group piano training program on executive functions in patients with PD. Forty-five patients with PD were assigned to an intense group piano training program or a waitlist control group. Group intensive piano training consisted of basic piano technique, finger dexterity exercises, basic piano repertoire, and music theory, presented over a 10-day period (30 hrs of training). Participants completed a battery of standardized cognitive measures of processing speed, cognitive control, and verbal fluency, pre- and post-training. Results of an independent samples Mann–Whitney test on composite cognitive and psychosocial variables revealed significantly enhanced Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy. Intensive piano training may serve as an effective cognitive and psychosocial intervention for those with PD.

Reaching digital native music majors : pedagogy for undergraduate group piano in the 21st century

This dissertation comprises three projects that were designed to contribute to our understanding of today's digital native music majors and their needs within the group piano curriculum. The first investigation is a review of literature pertaining to collegiate group piano, describing existing research and recommending aspects still needing to be studied. The second investigation used phenomenological qualitative methods to investigate the adaptation processes of group piano students as they adjust to the new demands of collegiate music study. Data from participants (N = 6) indicated that despite individual differences, common themes of Preparedness, Motivation, Priorities and Expectations, Support Systems, and Accomplishment/Empowerment were characteristic of the group piano experience for these first-semester students. The third investigation is an experimental study. I sought to determine how the use of technological tools with varied capabilities of providing aural modeling and tempo control features affected collegiate group piano students' achievement. Group piano music majors (N = 43) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (control, metronome, YouTube, or Tempo SlowMo). No significant achievement differences were found among the technology groups. Results from these three projects indicated that (a) there is a need for further research in group piano contexts, (b) group piano is a valuable part of the music core curriculum because courses are conducive to 21st-century skill development and (c) individual differences are importantv considerations when assisting students with adaptation processes and technology selection in group piano. These findings may transfer to other core music classes, student experiences, and practice routines.

DISCUSSING HARMONIZATION AND CHORD IN THE PIANO GROUP TEACHING

This paper discusses the Harmonization as an essential tool in the Group Piano discipline in order to reinforce the importance of harmonic practice in collective piano lessons and presents several harmonizations steps as cadences and chord functions in the song "Sambalelê". It also presents the results of this experiment performed within the action research in three classes and two higher educational institutions in Brazil.