MUSIC IS MORE / Dissertation / Abstract

Dissertation: Abstract

Chapter 1: Objective

The objective of this study is to develop a training method for musicians to become proficient in sight-reading music. Furthermore the study is to investigate, whether certain pieces of music are particularly suitable to train the competence of reading music at sight. Here, the focus is on Bach`s Two-Part Inventions. Their structure and pedagogical significance make them the ideal object for the investigation.

Chapter 2: Relevant Terns

The relevant terms of learning, practice, automating, training, audiation and others are being defined and discussed with reference to psychological research and practice in musical training.

Chapter 3: Music And Language

deals with common features of and differences between music and language.

Chapter 4: State Of Research And This Approach

explores psychological research in the field, which focuses on (1) eye movements of musicians while sight-reading and (2) attempts to develop cognitive models of sight-reading. So far, research has not come to a systematic approach to sight-reading music. Mostly, musicians with poor sight-reading abilities are recommended to acquire certain skills of good sight-readers, such as to read larger units and to avoid reading individual notes.

This study pursues a different approach. Because mature sight-reading is a process performed without conscious effort, poor readers may gain from training methods that automate the ability to transfer individual notes and rhythms into musical actions.

Chapter 5: Rhythms And Pitches

defines and lists the rhythms and notes to be automated and compares Bach´s Two-Part Inventions to a text in written language. The study comes to the conclusion that standard material used in musical training, such as Bach´s Two-Part Inventions, is not particularly suitable for sight-reading exercises. An original drill and practice program is being introduced.

Chapter 6: Effects Of The Drill And Practice Program

describes how the drill and practice program was tested for effectiveness in 5 different training situations. Results and evolving problems are being discussed and a solution suggested. The last of the 5 training situations shows how a poor reader who, at the same time, is a good performer was freed from his sight-reading problems.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes five main points:

musical pieces like the Two-Part Inventions by J. S. Bach are only suitable to train the ability to read music at first sight, if the reader embarks on an efficient reading strategy;
audiation is a crucial point for true musical literacy;
the ability to perform music must be taught/learnt prior to the ability to read or write music;
the ability to transfer musical symbols into musical actions can be improved by drill and practice programs;
a training in reading individual notes and rhythms can improve the ability to sight-read music.

The text and the seven appendices to this study contain reading exercises, ear training exercises, finger exercises and statistical data of the Inventions.

MUSIC IS MORE

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