Band Method Percussion Books Survey
Abstract
This project centers on the evaluation and analysis of percussion modules for introductory band method books. Band method books are utilized for young musicians just starting out on their instruments, like Easy Reader books for young readers. These method books should introduce new concepts and techniques in an appropriate order and pace for each instrument, allowing usage in homogeneous and heterogeneous instrumental classrooms. The curriculum provided by method books is greatly varied, so choosing the proper method book is a key component of a music educator’s success. Percussion, with a multitude of different instruments and respective techniques, is often misunderstood or improperly taught at the beginning level. Hence, the purpose of this project is to aid music educators in understanding the percussion curriculum in the most popular method books by evaluating the curriculum, pacing, and progression of techniques and exercises in such texts. Specific goals and processes of this research are as follows. Complete a selection process to determine the 10 most popular books from the JWPepper.com catalogue Design a rubric suited to evaluate the percussion modules of these method books, centering on a variety of factors, including presentation, inclusion of varied instrumentation, progression of technique, overall pacing, and adherence to the National Core Arts standards. Apply the designed rubric to the chosen percussion band method modules. Write and submit for publication an approximately 2000-word article to share the findings for an audience of beginning band directors across the nation. The resulting article will be geared towards publication in music education trade journals such as The Instrumentalist, School Band and Orchestra, and Teaching Music. Furthermore, this research could be presented at state, regional, or national conferences to facilitate discussions over the role of such percussion method books in the beginning band setting.
Band Method Percussion Books Survey
This project centers on the evaluation and analysis of percussion modules for introductory band method books. Band method books are utilized for young musicians just starting out on their instruments, like Easy Reader books for young readers. These method books should introduce new concepts and techniques in an appropriate order and pace for each instrument, allowing usage in homogeneous and heterogeneous instrumental classrooms. The curriculum provided by method books is greatly varied, so choosing the proper method book is a key component of a music educator’s success. Percussion, with a multitude of different instruments and respective techniques, is often misunderstood or improperly taught at the beginning level. Hence, the purpose of this project is to aid music educators in understanding the percussion curriculum in the most popular method books by evaluating the curriculum, pacing, and progression of techniques and exercises in such texts. Specific goals and processes of this research are as follows. Complete a selection process to determine the 10 most popular books from the JWPepper.com catalogue Design a rubric suited to evaluate the percussion modules of these method books, centering on a variety of factors, including presentation, inclusion of varied instrumentation, progression of technique, overall pacing, and adherence to the National Core Arts standards. Apply the designed rubric to the chosen percussion band method modules. Write and submit for publication an approximately 2000-word article to share the findings for an audience of beginning band directors across the nation. The resulting article will be geared towards publication in music education trade journals such as The Instrumentalist, School Band and Orchestra, and Teaching Music. Furthermore, this research could be presented at state, regional, or national conferences to facilitate discussions over the role of such percussion method books in the beginning band setting.