The perceived influence of the one-on-one instrumental learning environment on tertiary string students’ perceptions of their own playing-related discomfort/pain

This article draws on qualitative data collected over a five-year period as part of a longitudinal mixed methods research project at a tertiary music institution in Australia. Forty tertiary string students consistently identified factors specific to the one-on-one instrumental teaching environment as influencing their perceptions as to the nature and causes of their playing-related discomfort pain. Student perceptions of individual teacher’s attitudes to pain and injury, experiences with regards to asking and receiving advice and the perceived influence of the first instrumental teacher are discussed using six examples. The paper concludes with several recommendations for instrumental music teachers and music institutions.

Instructional Expertise and Micropolitics: The Social Networks of Instrumental Music Teachers

The purpose of this study was to understand the social networks of three instrumental music teachers in a midwestern school district. Research questions were (1) How do instrumental music teachers describe their formal/instructional networks? and (2) How do instrumental music teachers’ social networks differ by career stage? I used a qualitative ego network design to map social networks of information sharing with a focus on the flow of social capital. Data sources included a name-generating questionnaire to construct networks and two semistructured interviews focusing on the nature and significance of teachers’ ties. Findings suggest that social networks showed particularities in terms of number of ties and tie strength. On matters of instruction, participants sought out music teachers whom they respected or who possessed specialized knowledge. Participants spoke of the importance of forging micropolitical ties to secure needs related to resources and scheduling, using ties strategically. Finally, participants felt that networks differed by career stage with advice seeking decreasing over time and networks becoming more close-knit. Implications are offered for music teachers and music teacher educators.

Instrumental Opportunities: Music for All

Although resources exist to help instrumental music teachers assist learners in inclusive settings, students’ voices may be absent from those resources. As such, music teachers may struggle to honor the needs and experiences of students with physical differences. Students with physical differences may be steered away from instrumental music or toward an instrument that may not be the student’s preference. The purpose of this study was to understand the stories of students with physical differences and their teacher to examine how participation in instrumental music was enabled in this setting. Data were generated through examining artifacts and completing interviews with the instrumental music teacher, students, and students’ parents. Interview data were analyzed using process/action coding. Main themes that emerged were (a) previous experiences and prior knowledge, (b) recognizing strengths and challenges, (c) perseverance toward desires in the face of uncertainty, (d) help and support from others, and (e) materials. Implications for future research and possible applications to music teaching and music teacher education are discussed.

Examining the sources of self-efficacy among instrumental music teachers

This dissertation comprises three projects that were designed to investigate the extent that mastery experiences, verbal persuasions, vicarious experiences, and physiological state contribute to instrumental music teachers' self-efficacy. The first investigation was a review of the literature about self-efficacy and its sources among general education teachers, music teachers, and preservice teachers. The second investigation was a survey study of how instrumental teachers' self-efficacy for teaching strategies is influenced by its four sources. Results indicated concert band directors' self-efficacy related the most with mastery experiences, followed by verbal persuasions, physiological state, and vicarious experiences, respectively. Further investigation indicated levels of self-efficacy related with years of experience and self-perceptions of effective teaching. The third investigation was a case study of preservice instrumental teachers' self-efficacy and concerns. Participants' beliefs were most impacted by their familiarity with a setting and perceived success of previous pedagogical experiences. Results from these three projects indicated that instrumental music teachers' self-efficacy (a) is most influenced by the relative success of previous teaching experiences, (b) relates to effective teaching behaviors, and (c) improves with experience and familiarity in a setting.

Associations between training, employment, and motivational styles of Brazilian instrumental music teachers

Teachers follow a motivational style based on their own beliefs about motivation affected by environmental events. External events such as rules and traditions often affect orientation towards controlling; however, it is not known if events such as training and employment affect the extent to which music teachers try to control a student’s behavior. The aim of the current study is to investigate associations between the motivational styles of instrumental music teachers, their training, and the type of employment they possess. A survey was conducted with 358 instrumental music teachers. Participants accessed an online questionnaire to provide information about their motivational style and to answer questions about their training and employment. Trained musicians recorded higher scores in the controlling factor than trained music educators. Similarly, teachers who worked in public music schools recorded higher scores in the controlling factor than the ones who worked in private music schools. Our study suggests that motivational literature should be part of the higher education curriculum, since it could help to improve behaviors that support autonomy in instrumental music lessons. The study also recommends making changes to the lifelong job positions that are acquired through public tenders in order to prevent teachers from disregarding the perspective of their students.

Beginning Band without a Stand: Fostering Creative Musicianship in Early Instrumental Programs

Approaches to teaching music notation and instrumental technique have been standardized and codified in the United States with great success in beginning instrumental programs. While these skills are important, we do a disservice to students if we do not equally develop comprehensive musicianship and creative thinking at a young age. Creating music is one of the four “Artistic Processes” that guide our instruction in the new National Core Arts Standards framework. It is also a process that many instrumental music teachers struggle to implement, especially in early stages of instruction when note-reading and technique seem to be the highest priority. Drawing on examples from an elementary school band program that shifted away from music notation in the rehearsal room and group lesson space, I examine how instrumental music teachers can move students beyond the music stand into a deeper and more creative understanding of the elements of music.

A framework for studying teachers’ hand gestures in instrumental and vocal music contexts

A framework for studying teachers’ hand gestures in instrumental music pedagogy is proposed, focusing on teachers’ teaching behaviours as a context-dependent basis for understanding the meaning and functionality of their gestures. The application of the Teacher Behaviour and Gesture framework across instrumental music pedagogical settings (one-to-one, small and large teaching groups and across singing, woodwind, brass, strings, and other pedagogical contexts) will bring understandings on the role of teachers’ gestures in their pedagogical interactions with students, with implications for student learning and instrumental music teachers’ teaching and education.