The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music training on electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence of preschool children. EEG coherence is a measurement of brain wave activity that reflects anatomical and neurophysiological parameters and functional connectivity between areas of the brain. Participants were 4- to 6-year-old children divided into two groups: one received music training for 20 minutes twice a week for 10 weeks while the other group served as controls. Nineteen channels of EEG data were collected from each child pre- and post-training. Data were collected from three conditions: eyes-open resting, listening to music, and performing the Object Assembly subtest of the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised (1989). The hypothesis was that the music training group would show increased EEG coherence as compared to controls. The EEG data was reduced into seven bandwidths and analyzed separately for each condition. Multiple ANCOVAs were used to factor out pre-test variability and to maximize connectivity changes between the two groups. The dependent measures were the post-QEEG electrode pairs and the covariates were the pre-QEEG electrode pairs. Results indicated the eyes-open and listening to music conditions showed more significant changes between the groups than the Object Assembly condition. Overall, each condition showed increased connectivity for the music training group versus controls. The eyes-open condition differentiated children with and without music training during a resting condition, and showed similar patterns as those identified by other researchers comparing musicians versus nonmusicians. The listening to music condition identified connections including a topographical pattern of auditory analysis, increased working memory activation, increased activity between musically sensitive areas, and increased interhemispheric activity. Findings with the Object Assembly condition were not as robust as expected. However, patterns of increased connectivity associated with visuospatial processing were found with the music training group.

This study consisted of two parts: (a) an historical description of the music classes, divided into three time periods for comparison and explanation, and (b) an evaluation of the effort determined from questionnaire sampling of teachers, students and stake music leaders. Historically, music courses for beginning and advanced organists and conductors were organized and maintained by the General Music Committee of the Church, designed to improve musical attitudes and performance in religious services. Many thousands completed the short, comprehensive classes, which offered an opportunity to study and prepare for church music service. Findings indicated that successful courses were given in many geographical areas by numerous teachers of varying musical competencies. Evaluations by respondents resulted in listing of problems, and suggestions for their solution. Failure of the program to keep pace with the fast-growing, world-wide Church caused its demise in 1969, and training classes were relegated to stake leadership.

No description available.

The proportion of older adults living with cognitive impairments is increasing rapidly. This shift will likely increase mortality rates, reduce perceived quality of life, and cause economic burden to patients and health care systems. Currently evidence of highly effective and noninvasive interventions that prevent or slow the onset of cognitive impairment are limited. This study aims to better understand what drives cognitive aging variability among musicians versus non-musicians. Music playing has been shown to improve brain and cognitive functions by engaging networks of brain areas, simultaneously involving cortical mechanisms associated with executive, high-level cognitive and motor functions, and multiple sensory systems. Literature suggests strong correlations between cognition and music ability. However, studies in the past have not concretely operationalized music training. Here we test the general hypothesis that music training improves neural mechanisms associated with core cognitive functions (e.g. working-memory and attention). A multi-source study was designed to control level of music involvement and genre by examining professional, classically trained orchestral musicians, establishing cognitive and neuropsychological profiles in an effort to better understand the potential for music training to protect older adults from cognitive decline. Specific hypotheses involved attentional inhibition theory and increased ability of musicians to perform attention and working memory tasks. Twenty-nine professional musicians were recruited who completed five neuropsychological exams. The scalp electrophysiological signals from 14 channels were recorded wirelessly while each musician performed a modified delayed match-to-sample task, imagination of music playing, and resting states. Musicians completed neuropsychological screening (MoCA) a music and life span questionnaire as well. Musicians tested above normative ranges in cognitive ability indicated through MoCA. Musicians’ scores were compared with average or normative scores of participants at similar ages in previous studies using the same measures and current musicians performed significantly faster and more accurately on four of five neuropsychological measures. Regression and ANCOVA showed strong positive correlations between theta oscillation in bilateral frontal sites (F3, F4) and both number of years of private music lessons and number of hours of music practice. Correlations between EEG recordings taken during music imagination exercise at posterior (01, 02) sites and the number of years of private music lessons participants took, the age participant started to take music lessons and the number of years they played their musical instrument were found. Current new findings reveal that professional musician’s cognitive scores and neural activity are associated with superior cognitive ability via enhancement of neural mechanisms of current target material and inhibition of distractions. Music training is apromising noninvasive method to control cognitive challenge, which merits further research to determine how it can be used as a beneficial cognitive training method for aging individuals. Future studies should examine neuro-cognitive differences between professional musicians and individuals with lower levels of music involvement to examine dose effects of music or the amount of music needed to protect aging adults from cognitive decline.

Le diagnostic de l’acouphène repose sur le rapport verbal du patient. Cependant, les paramètres psychoacoustiques, tels que la hauteur et la sonie de l’acouphène, sont essentiels pour l’évaluation et pour discriminer les fausses plaintes. Quantifier le percept de l’acouphène reste un objectif de recherche important. Nous avons cherché à: (1) évaluer la précision d'une nouvelle méthode d'évaluation des acouphènes du type « likeness rating » avec une méthode de présentation continue de la hauteur, en considérant la formation musicale, et (2) vérifier si les mesures psychoacoustiques de l’acouphène ont la sensibilité et la spécificité pour détecter les personnes simulant un acouphène. Nous avons recruté des musiciens et des non-musiciens souffrant d'acouphènes et des simulateurs sans acouphènes. La plupart d’entre eux ont été testés une seconde fois quelques semaines plus tard. La hauteur de l’acouphène a d’abord été évaluée en utilisant la méthode « likness rating ». Des sons purs ont été présentés de manière aléatoire de 0.25 kHz à 16 kHz et les participants devaient coter la ressemblance de chaque son par rapport à leur acouphène, et en ajuster son volume de 0 à 100 dB SPL. La hauteur a ensuite été évaluée par une méthode, où les participants devaient apparier la hauteur de leur acouphène en déplaçant leur doigt sur une bande tactile générant des sons purs en continu de 0.5 kHz à 20 kHz par pas de 1 Hz. Les capacités à apparier des sons externes ont été évaluées en utilisant cet appareil. La hauteur prédominante de l’acouphène était similaire entre les deux méthodes pour les musiciens et les non-musiciens, bien que les musiciens montraient de meilleures capacités d’appariement face à des sons externes. Les simulateurs ont coté la sonie bien au-dessus que les autres groupes avec un grand degré de spécificité (94,4%), et ont été inconsistants dans l’appariement de cette sonie (pas de la hauteur) d’une session à une autre. Les données de la seconde session montrent des réponses similaires pour l’appariement de la hauteur pour les deux méthodes ainsi que pour tous nos participants. En conclusion, la hauteur et la sonie correspondent au percept de l’acouphène et doivent en plus être utilisées avec des échelles visuelles analogiques, qui sont plus corrélées avec la gêne et la détresse. Enfin, l’appariement de la sonie est sensible et spécifique à déterminer la présence de l’acouphène. / The diagnosis of tinnitus relies on self-report. Psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus pitch and loudness are essential for assessing and discriminating true claims from false. For this reason, the quantification of tinnitus remains a challenging research goal. We aimed to: (1) assess the precision of a new tinnitus likeness rating procedure with a continuous pitch presentation method, controlling for music training, and (2) test whether tinnitus psychoacoustic measurements have the sensitivity and specificity required to detect people faking tinnitus. Musicians and non-musicians with tinnitus, and simulated malingerers without tinnitus were tested. Most were retested several weeks later. Tinnitus pitch matching was first assessed using the likeness rating method: Pure tones between 0.25 to 16 kHz were presented randomly to participants who had to rate the likeness of each tone to their tinnitus, and to adjust its loudness from 0 to 100 dB SPL. Tinnitus pitch matching was then assessed with a continuous pitch method. Participants had to match the pitch of their tinnitus by moving their finger across a touch sensitive strip, which generated a continuous pure tone from 0.5 to 20 kHz in 1 Hz step. Pitch matching abilities to external tones were assessed using this device. The predominant tinnitus pitch was consistent across the two methods for both musicians and non-musicians, although musicians displayed better external tone pitch matching abilities. Simulated malingerers rated loudness much above the other groups with a high degree of specificity (94.4%) and were unreliable in loudness (not pitch) matching from one session to the other. Retest data showed similar pitch matching responses for both methods for all participants. In conclusion, tinnitus pitch and loudness reliably corresponds to the tinnitus percept and psychoacoustic loudness matches are sensitive and specific to the presence of tinnitus. Furthermore, this novel method should be used along with visual analog scales, which are more correlated to mood and distress.

No description available.

No contexto atual, caracterizado por transformações decorrentes do fenômeno da globalização nas sociedades, é preciso considerar a emergência da Educação Musical como um campo de conhecimento que deve estar inserido nas chamadas Ciências da Educação. Neste novo cenário, a natureza dos saberes pedagógico-musicais passou a configurar-se de forma mais ampla e abrangente, trazendo novas implicações para a formação de professores. Após a promulgação da Lei Federal nº 11.769/08 que determina a obrigatoriedade do ensino de música nas escolas brasileiras de educação básica, novos desafios surgiram para a área, mediante a escassez de profissionais para atender a grande demanda escolar. Com isso, surgiram novas propostas e ações de formação pedagógico-musical no contexto atual, porém, ainda locais e pontuais. Esta pesquisa propõe discutir tais questões e investigar os desafios que os licenciandos em Música/Educação Musical e em Pedagogia enfrentam durante os respectivos percursos de formação pedagógico-musical e, ainda, apresentar os constructos que permeiam algumas concepções dos participantes da pesquisa relativas à educação musical, formação e profissionalização. Por meio da abordagem metodológica da nova pesquisa-ação, fundamentada nos pressupostos de René Barbier (2007), buscou-se analisar e evidenciar as possíveis implicações desse processo formativo nas relações estabelecidas pelos licenciandos com os saberes pedagógico-musicais, bem como as transformações que ocorrem na práxis e na construção da identidade profissional. A análise e interpretação dos diversos aspectos levantados apontaram a necessidade de haver mudança de paradigma na formação pedagógico-musical dos licenciandos e diálogo mais efetivo entre os campos da Música e da Educação, devido, especialmente, às múltiplas demandas da escola e aos diferentes contextos de atuação profissional do educador musical. / In the current context, characterized by transformations resulting from the phenomenon of globalization on societies, it is necessary to consider the emergence of Music Education as a field of knowledge that must be inserted in the so-called Educational Sciences. In this new scenario, the nature of the music-pedagogical knowledge has become more broadly and comprehensively, bringing new implications for teacher training. After the promulgation of the Federal Law no. 11,769/08 which stipulates compulsory music teaching in Brazilian schools of basic education, new challenges have arisen for the area, by the shortage of professionals to meet the great demand of schools. For this reason, there are new proposals and actions of music-pedagogical training in the current context, however these proposals are local and punctual. This research proposes to discuss such issues and investigate the challenges that students of Music, Music Education and Pedagogy face during their music-pedagogical educational training and also to present ideas that permeate some conceptions of the survey participants concerning Music Education, training and professionalization. Through the methodological approach of the new research-action, grounded in the assumptions of René Barbier (2007), it was sought to analyze and highlight the possible implications of that formative process on the relations established by students with music-pedagogical knowledge, as well as the transformations occurring in praxis and in the construction of a professional identity. The analysis and interpretation of the various aspects raised have pointed to the need for paradigm shift in music-pedagogical training of students and a more effective dialogue between the fields of Music and Education, especially because of the multiple demands of school and the different contexts of professional activity of a music educator.

The study explores the music development, achievement and aspirations of adolescent students who participate in pre-tertiary specialised music programs. A theoretical model is developed for the study to investigate the role and influence of such training in the development of music skills, and explores relationships amongst music experience, music engagement, academic achievement, interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, personal learning styles, and affective response to music. The data source for the study was the Young Conservatorium program (YCP) at Griffith University. Three sub-studies formed the investigation, two focussing on music development, and one, the program. The first sub-study involved 117 enrolled students, the second, 44 teachers and 112 former students, and the third, 15 case studies. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained using surveys, tasks, tests, interviews, discussions, reflective journals, and practice logs. A large body of literature has identified a continued need for research that traces the music development of young musicians in adolescence, research that utilises both large and small sampling (particularly case studies), and is conducted at the time of training. The present study was conducted over two years, utilised a larger population than many previous studies, involved case studies, and combined contemporaneous and retrospective approaches. Research findings contribute to knowledge regarding young musicians' music training and learning in pre-tertiary specialised music programs, and the nature of pre-tertiary specialised music programs themselves: their rationale, methods of instruction, and overall effectiveness. They highlight the types of music programs and music training provisions available to young Australian musicians, and, though showing students to frequently engage in multiple music learning environments, confirm the need for individuals demonstrating above-average music ability to access specialised music tuition and opportunities, develop in a supportive learning environment, and interact with students of similar interests and abilities. Although also suggesting there to be a number of factors associated with pre-tertiary specialised music training that can deter some students, such factors tend to be non-musical in nature. In all, the study does show a trend for the families of young, above-average musicians to choose to provide for their children access to pre-tertiary specialised training, and for participants to gain from this experience. The study seeks to enhance understanding of the conditions though which music development is nurtured; it confirms the importance of exposure and opportunity, the collective efforts of the family and community, and the need for hard work and perseverance to usually be exercised by young musicians themselves. Common trends associated with the music development of young, above-average musicians pertained to music training and influences, characteristics, goals, and achievement. Early music exposure, guidance, and positive music experiences were found to be conducive to music learning. The establishment of a practice routine, increasing engagement with music, the formation of broad music preferences, demonstration of high music aptitude, musical and academic achievement, and goal-setting all characterised the experiences and marked the qualities of students sustaining their music interests in adolescence. Interpersonal support and developing intrapersonal attributes, personal learning styles and increasing affective response to music, together with developing cognitive and metacognitive skills, were generally shown to typify the music development of young, above-average musicians in adolescence.

No contexto atual, caracterizado por transformações decorrentes do fenômeno da globalização nas sociedades, é preciso considerar a emergência da Educação Musical como um campo de conhecimento que deve estar inserido nas chamadas Ciências da Educação. Neste novo cenário, a natureza dos saberes pedagógico-musicais passou a configurar-se de forma mais ampla e abrangente, trazendo novas implicações para a formação de professores. Após a promulgação da Lei Federal nº 11.769/08 que determina a obrigatoriedade do ensino de música nas escolas brasileiras de educação básica, novos desafios surgiram para a área, mediante a escassez de profissionais para atender a grande demanda escolar. Com isso, surgiram novas propostas e ações de formação pedagógico-musical no contexto atual, porém, ainda locais e pontuais. Esta pesquisa propõe discutir tais questões e investigar os desafios que os licenciandos em Música/Educação Musical e em Pedagogia enfrentam durante os respectivos percursos de formação pedagógico-musical e, ainda, apresentar os constructos que permeiam algumas concepções dos participantes da pesquisa relativas à educação musical, formação e profissionalização. Por meio da abordagem metodológica da nova pesquisa-ação, fundamentada nos pressupostos de René Barbier (2007), buscou-se analisar e evidenciar as possíveis implicações desse processo formativo nas relações estabelecidas pelos licenciandos com os saberes pedagógico-musicais, bem como as transformações que ocorrem na práxis e na construção da identidade profissional. A análise e interpretação dos diversos aspectos levantados apontaram a necessidade de haver mudança de paradigma na formação pedagógico-musical dos licenciandos e diálogo mais efetivo entre os campos da Música e da Educação, devido, especialmente, às múltiplas demandas da escola e aos diferentes contextos de atuação profissional do educador musical. / In the current context, characterized by transformations resulting from the phenomenon of globalization on societies, it is necessary to consider the emergence of Music Education as a field of knowledge that must be inserted in the so-called Educational Sciences. In this new scenario, the nature of the music-pedagogical knowledge has become more broadly and comprehensively, bringing new implications for teacher training. After the promulgation of the Federal Law no. 11,769/08 which stipulates compulsory music teaching in Brazilian schools of basic education, new challenges have arisen for the area, by the shortage of professionals to meet the great demand of schools. For this reason, there are new proposals and actions of music-pedagogical training in the current context, however these proposals are local and punctual. This research proposes to discuss such issues and investigate the challenges that students of Music, Music Education and Pedagogy face during their music-pedagogical educational training and also to present ideas that permeate some conceptions of the survey participants concerning Music Education, training and professionalization. Through the methodological approach of the new research-action, grounded in the assumptions of René Barbier (2007), it was sought to analyze and highlight the possible implications of that formative process on the relations established by students with music-pedagogical knowledge, as well as the transformations occurring in praxis and in the construction of a professional identity. The analysis and interpretation of the various aspects raised have pointed to the need for paradigm shift in music-pedagogical training of students and a more effective dialogue between the fields of Music and Education, especially because of the multiple demands of school and the different contexts of professional activity of a music educator.

No description available.