Abstract:

In this presentation I intend to outline the ‘Building Block’ instructional method for the basics of Music Theory as presented to first-year Music majors. The method, which is applicable to the foundations of most disciplines, is designed to build on previous skills to advance study into new topics of discussion, in essence taking the class from the known into the unknown. Applying the concept of ‘transfer’ from one topic to the next, as investigated by Geringer and Madsen (Geringer and Madsen, 1987). Through this method I elicit and demonstrate transfer at all times, guide students toward drawing their own connections, and back up lessons with real world examples from a variety of styles, making topics of discussion relevant to students from diverse backgrounds and carrying a broad array of skillsets.

I will demonstrate these techniques in the context of teaching the intervallic content of the major scale, then transferring the skill to all intervals within the musical octave. This will begin with the definition of the half step and whole step, from which all other concepts will emerge and be accessible to attendees regardless of musical knowledge (Kostka, Payne, and Almen, 4-6, 16). I will also discuss how online learning has necessitated accommodations to facilitate the more isolated learning that has become standard in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

References:
[1] Geringer, J.; Madsen, C. “An Investigation of Transfer: Music Education Research and Applied Instruction.” Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education No. 91, Eleventh International Seminar on Research in Music Education (Spring 1987), pp. 45-49
[2] Kostka, S.; Payne, D.; Almen, B. Tonal Harmony, 8th ed., McGraw Hill, 2018

Keywords:

Transfer, Music Theory, Foundations, Virtual Learning, Building Blocks.