Rationale

We often talk about learning and teaching music by rote and by ear, especially to students

at a young age. This is logical, especially since this is how music has been taught and passed

down for generations (most notably in the form of folk songs, but other genres certainly apply as

well). Furthermore, this is also how we initially learn languages. Before learning to read and

write, we first learn by hearing and listening without worrying about aspects such as grammar

and syntax. Learning music this way allows one to interact musically with others in the most

basic and fundamental ways. Music education philosophies such as Kodaly, Suzuki, and Orff

promote these values as well. Informal music learning also incorporates these methods.

However, based on personal experiences, it seems as if even many experienced musicians

are lacking in their ability to read music. While this obviously does not automatically disqualify

them from being good musicians, I would argue that it limits their potential and may in turn

inhibit their teaching ability if they cannot properly convey it to their students. Music theory for

musicians states that “for music theory beginners, avoiding reading music is like going to college

without reading: it just doesn't make sense.”

Why is this so? Is this a result of overemphasizing learning by rote and by ear, or are

there other factors at play? Would it be beneficial to start having students read music from an

earlier age? Students are learning to read their primary languages in pre-k and kindergarten, but

formal instruction in musical literacy usually does not start until mid-elementary school. What if

we introduced learning musical literacy (and with that, basic music theory) simultaneously with

learning by rote and by ear? Would that be effective, or would that just cause problems? Would

it enhance musical experiences and creativity, or stifle it?

 Research Question

What are the pros and cons of teaching students to read music in conjunction with the

rote songs they learn? Furthermore, what other types of ways to read music can we teach them

besides traditional western notation?

 Works Cited

Green, L. (2017). Music, informal learning and the school: A new classroom pedagogy.

London: Routledge.

Music Theory for Musicians. N.d. https://www.music-theory-for-musicians.com/

Sarrazin, N. n.d. Music and the Child. Lumen Learning.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-music-and-the-child/