What is GIML?
What is Music Learning Theory?
What are the principles and techniques associated with Music Learning Theory?
More information & links
What is GIML?
The Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the research in music education pioneered by Edwin E. Gordon. The broad purpose of this Institute is to ensure that Dr. Gordon’s work realizes its potential to serve as the foundation for future research and to revitalize music education for generations to come.
The Institute supports research into how individuals learn music.
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What is Music Learning Theory?
Music Learning Theory is an explanation of how we learn when we learn music.
Based on an extensive body of research and practical field testing by Edwin E. Gordon and others, Music Learning Theory provides the music teacher a sequential and comprehensive method for teaching musicianship through audiation, Gordon’s term for thinking music in the mind with understanding. Music teachers of all stripes — elementary general, instrumental, vocal, the private studio — can use learning sequence activities to develop their students’ tonal and rhythm audiation. Skills thus learned then can be applied to all manner of activities, enabling students to draw greater meaning from the music they listen to, perform, improvise, and compose. The objective is to help students become independent musicians and musical thinkers.
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What are the principles and techniques associated with Music Learning Theory?
Audiation. To hear and comprehend music in the mind, audiation is the foundation of musicianship. Music Learning Theory tells music teachers the best way to develop students’ tonal and rhythm audiation.
Music Aptitude. Music learning is enhanced when teachers know students’ potential to achieve in music and teach systematically to individual differences.
Methodology. Students build their audiation skills through singing, rhythmic
movement, and tonal and rhythm pattern instruction before being introduced to notation and music theory.
Learning Sequence Activities. The “parts” part of the Whole/Part/Whole curriculum, learning sequence activities are where students learn to audiate the tonal and rhythm patterns that make up music literature.
Classroom Activities. Carefully thought out guidelines help the teacher best coordinate learning sequence activities with classroom activities.
Specific Applications to Music Instruction. Methods, techniques, and materials for implementing Music Learning Theory principles in various music teaching settings.
Early Childhood. A child’s early experiences with music have a profound impact on future musical development.
More Information
To learn more about Music Learning Theory:
GIML Website: About Music Learning Theory
Dr. Gordon’s books and a variety of instructional materials may be ordered
from:
GIA Publications (800)GIA-1358
For more information about the Gordon Institute for Music Learning:
GIML National Website