Ear Training
Teacher Learning through the Spark of Action Research
Francis Gagliardi, Program Director, Nucleo, London, England; member of first Firebird team at the Academy for Impact Through Music
How can I contribute to making something that’s already great even better?
That was the question I asked myself when I took on the challenge of carrying out the first Academy for Impact Through Music (AIM) Chispa, in Caracas, Venezuela, in December 2024.
Can Young Children Learn to Identify Harmonic Progressions by Ear? Yes, They Can!
Dr. Eric Rasmussen, Chair, Early Childhood Music Department at Peabody Conservatory; educator, author, and researcher
Unfortunately, many music teachers rely on a notation-first approach, teaching students to read music symbols before they have a strong foundation in listening, singing, and rhythmic chanting. Because we jumped the notation hurdle, often relying on math and puzzle-solving skills in addition to our propensity for learning music, we sometimes assume (incorrectly) that most children will have the same capacities.
The principles of MLT guided my teaching at OrchKids (the El Sistema-inspired program in Baltimore, MD, USA), and the results were extraordinary.
