Susan Hallam

The psychological study of music has a long history, with research being undertaken in relation to every aspect of human musical behaviour. Although much of the research is of direct concern to music educators, it has not until now been presented in an easily accessible, single volume. Music Psychology in Education presents a comprehensive overview of the field, beginning with the function of music in society – its origins, nature and purposes, taking account of cross-cultural perspectives. Individual chapters then focus on the psychological underpinnings of the elements of music education: music, the brain and learning; early development; musical ability; listening, appraising and responding to music; composing and improvising; learning to play an instrument and develop vocal skills; learning through practice; motivation and musical identity; assessment; teachers and teaching; the impact of music through life. Music Psychology in Education will be of interest to students training to be instrumental and class teachers, and to all teachers wishing to further their understanding of teaching and learning.

Music Psychology in Education

Research into instrumental music practice has a long history dating back to the 1940s. This book presents papers dating from 1995 to 2022 by Prof. Susan Hallam, a former professional musician and instrumental teacher who on becoming an academic continued her interest in instrumental music by researching the factors contributing to the development of high levels of expertise, including practice. The papers variously explore issues relating to the importance of practice in acquiring musical expertise as opposed to having inherited musical ability; how practicing strategies develop from beginner instrumentalists through to the professional level; the management of practice; and the high levels of motivation required to develop expert musical skills. They illustrate the use of a wide range of different research methods, qualitative and quantitative. The book concludes with examples of successful instrumental music teaching at the primary school level and creative instrumental music making in the secondary school classroom. It differs from existing books that focus on practical guidance on practicing, as it presents the academic research underpinning this guidance. As an expert musician and researcher in psychology and education, Susan Hallam brings a personal and academic perspective to the study of the development of expertise.

Understanding the Acquisition of Musical Expertise

Practice Makes Perfect

Evangelos Himonides

Building on her earlier work, 'The Power of Music: A Research Synthesis of the Impact of Actively Making Music on the Intellectual, Social and Personal Development of Children and Young People', this volume by Susan Hallam and Evangelos Himonides is an important new resource in the field of music education, practice, and psychology. A well-signposted text with helpful subheadings, 'The Power of Music: An Exploration of the Evidence' gathers and synthesises research in neuroscience, psychology, and education to develop our understanding of the effects of listening to and actively making music. Its chapters address music’s relationship with literacy and numeracy, transferable skills, its impact on social cohesion and personal wellbeing, as well as the roles that music plays in our everyday lives. Considering evidence from large population samples to individual case studies and across age groups, the authors also pose important methodological questions to the research community. 'The Power of Music' defends qualitative research against a requirement for randomised control trials that can obscure the diverse and often fraught contexts in which people of all ages and backgrounds are exposed to, and engage with, music. This magnificent and comprehensive volume allows the evidence about the power of music to speak for itself, thus providing an essential directory for those researching music education and its social, personal, and cognitive impact across human ages and experiences.

An Exploration of the Evidence

The Power of Music

Michael Thaut

Ian Cross

The field of Music Psychology has grown dramatically in the past 20 years, to emerge from being just a minor topic to one of mainstream interest within the brain sciences. However, until now, there has been no comprehensive reference text in the field. The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology is a landmark text providing, for the first time ever, a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in this fast-growing area of research. With contributions from over fifty experts in the field, the range and depth of coverage is unequalled. All the chapters combine a solid review of the relevant literature with well-reasoned arguments and robust discussions of the major findings, as well as original insights and suggestions for future work. Written by leading experts, the 52 chapters are divided into 11 sections covering both experimental and theoretical perspectives, each edited by an internationally recognised authority Ten sections each present chapters that focus on specific areas of music psychology: - the origins and functions of music - music perception - responses to music - music and the brain - musical development - learning musical skills - musical performance - composition and improvisation - the role of music in our everyday lives - music therapy and conceptual frameworks In each section, expert authors critically review the literature, highlight current issues, and explore possibilities for the future. The final section examines how in recent years the study of music psychology has broadened to include a range of other scientific disciplines. It considers the way that the research has developed in relation to technological advances, fostering links across the field and providing an overview of the areas where the field needs further development in the future. The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology will be the essential reference text for students and researchers across psychology and neuroscience.

Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology

Donald A. Hodges

Andrea Creech

This handbook provides an evidence-based account of psychological perspectives on issues in music education and music in the community through the life course, exploring our understanding of music learning and participation across contexts. The contributors draw on multidisciplinary research from different cultures and contexts in order to set out the implications of music psychology for music education and music in the community. Highlighting the intersecting issues across education and community contexts, the book proposes new theories as well as offering important refinements to existing conceptual models. Split into six parts, it considers the role of music in society as well as for groups and individuals, and explores topics such as processing and responding to music; pedagogical and musical practices that support or pose challenges to the emotional, cognitive, social or physical wellbeing of learners and participants in a range of contexts; and ‘music in identity’ or ‘identity in music’. With the final part on future directions and the implications for professional practice in music education and music in the community, the book concludes by exploring how the two sectors might work more closely together within a post-COVID-19 world. Based on cutting-edge research from an international team, this is essential reading for anyone interested in music psychology, education and community, and it will be particularly helpful for undergraduate and graduate students in music psychology, music education and community music.

Routledge International Handbook of Music Psychology in Education and the Community

While there are difficulties in collecting reliable data, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that disaffection among pupils, particularly in years 10 and 11, is growing. Does this matter? Yes. Absence from school for any reason has a negative effect on attainment. Non-attenders jeopardize their future opportunities and are denied the possibility of developing enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence through school achievement. They are also at risk in the community and vulnerable to the temptations of alcohol, drugs and crime. In addition to the consequences for pupils, schools have an interest in promoting high levels of attendance to improve achievement, satisfy the requirements of OFSTED and create a good impression in the 'market'. This paper examines the causes and effects of truancy and discusses how school attendance can be improved.

Can Schools Improve Attendance?

Truancy

Maria Varvarigou

This book sets out a contemporary perspective on music education, highlighting complex intersections between informal, non-formal and formal practices and contexts. At a time when the boundaries between music learning and participation are increasingly blurred, this volume is distinctive in challenging a ‘siloed’ approach to understanding the diverse international music education landscape. Instead, the book proposes a multi-layered continuum of practices that can be applied across a range of formal, informal or non-formal concepts to support the development of musical possible selves. It challenges existing conceptions of learning in music education in part by drawing on research in adult learning, but also by considering the contexts in which learning takes place, and the extent to which this learning can be classified as formal, informal or non-formal.

Developing and Sustaining Musical Possible Selves

Contexts for Music Learning and Participation

'The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology' is the definitive, comprehensive, and authoritative text on this burgeoning field. With contributions from over 50 experts in the field, the range and depth of coverage is unequalled. It will be an essential resource for students and researchers in psychology.

The second edition of The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology updates the original landmark text and provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments in this fast-growing area of research. Covering both experimental and theoretical perspectives, each of the 11 sections is edited by an internationally recognised authority in the area. The first ten parts present chapters that focus on specific areas of music psychology: the origins and functions of music; music perception, responses to music; music and the brain; musical development; learning musical skills; musical performance; composition and improvisation; the role of music in everyday life; and music therapy. In each part authors critically review the literature, highlight current issues and explore possibilities for the future. The final part examines how, in recent years, the study of music psychology has broadened to include a range of other disciplines. It considers the way that research has developed in relation to technological advances, and points the direction for further development in the field. With contributions from internationally recognised experts across 55 chapters, it is an essential resource for students and researchers in psychology and musicology.

The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology

The 2nd edition of the Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology updates the original landmark text and provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments in this fast growing area of research. Covering both experimental and theoretical perspectives, each of the 11 sections is edited by an internationally recognised authority in the area. The first ten parts present chapters that focus on specific areas of music psychology: the origins and functions of music; music perception, responses to music; music and the brain; musical development; learning musical skills; musical performance; composition and improvisation; the role of music in everyday life; and music therapy. In each part authors critically review the literature, highlight current issues and explore possibilities for the future. The final part examines how, in recent years, the study of music psychology has broadened to include a range of other disciplines. It considers the way that research has developed in relation to technological advances, and points the direction for further development in the field. With contributions from internationally recognised experts across 55 chapters, it is an essential resource for students and researchers in psychology and musicology.

This book covers key concepts relating to the psychology of music including the evolutionary purpose of music, the processing of music, musical ability, and musical skills. It also examines the impact music has on everyday life and on health and well-being, and the benefits of music to intellectual functioning. It covers the way in which music enriches humanity, how it relates to religion and spirituality, and how it used to enhance and manipulate people. This is the ideal introductory resource for students on a range of courses who are exploring music in relation to psychology, as well as general readers interested in this topic

Susan Hallam

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