Teaching percussion instruments in elementary school
settings presents unique challenges. Development of
reading skills, musicality, technique, and listening
skills are often cited as concerns. Materials
selected by educators can facilitate or encumber the
process. This study examined the characteristics of
beginning methods materials from the perspective of
college level percussion teachers. The ideal
beginning percussion method book as described by the
survey respondent group appears to have much in
common with materials traditionally used over the
past fifty years. There is an acknowledgement of the
need for a new approach, but this study indicates
that while college level percussion teachers make
such an acknowledgement, they wish to retain the
proven methods of the past.
settings presents unique challenges. Development of
reading skills, musicality, technique, and listening
skills are often cited as concerns. Materials
selected by educators can facilitate or encumber the
process. This study examined the characteristics of
beginning methods materials from the perspective of
college level percussion teachers. The ideal
beginning percussion method book as described by the
survey respondent group appears to have much in
common with materials traditionally used over the
past fifty years. There is an acknowledgement of the
need for a new approach, but this study indicates
that while college level percussion teachers make
such an acknowledgement, they wish to retain the
proven methods of the past.