A study of psychology of music instruction

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1978; 15: 185-198.

Abstract: Answers to a questionnaire by instructors in the psychology of music (POM) are reported in great detail. Of the 64 respondents, 73% were men and 74% held the PhD degree. Their experience in teaching the POM varied widely. At the institutions of 52%, only one course in POM was offered, while the institutions of 46% offered 2-6 courses in this area. Other answers deal with how frequently the POM course is offered, course prerequisites and credits, type and number of enrollees of both music and nonmusic students, and courses offered jointly with other departments. 189 main and supplementary texts were reported used, but 3 of these were dominant (used as the main text by 84% of the respondents). Topics taught were also diverse; however, these could be reduced to 16 main topics under 4 general headings; the study of music, the nature of music, human response to music, and the uses of music. The activities required of students in the respondents' classes are reported and discussed. Other questions dealt with the instructors' interest in establishing a resource pool for POM instruction and with their enjoyment of teaching the subject. Cross-tabulations of survey data show interesting patterns of relationships between course content and sex of instructor, availability of a laboratory, existence of therapy programs in the institutions, and other variables. (7 ref)

Note: educational programs & teaching; psychology of music instruction

Keyword(s): Music therapy; music education; teaching ; curriculum

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