MLT (Music Learning Theory) Basics

Summary

This video delves into Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory (MLT), highlighting key concepts such as audiation, whole-part-whole learning, and music aptitude. MLT emphasizes the importance of developing musical understanding through thinking in music, much like thinking in a language. The methodology uses differentiated, individualized instruction based on students’ musical aptitudes, assessed through testing, to help each child learn in their own way. The theory also aligns with other music education methods that prioritize sound before sight, stressing the need for children to engage with music through listening and singing before reading notation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Audiation is the ability to think in music, similar to how we think in language. It is essential for musical understanding.
• 🎶 Music Learning Theory (MLT) emphasizes the importance of audiation and its role in learning music.
• 📚 MLT promotes the 'whole-part-whole' method: start with a complete song, break it into parts to focus on patterns, then reconnect it to the whole.
• 🎵 Patterns in music are ordered but rotate through essential aspects like tonality, rhythm, and meter (duple and triple).
• 🧠 Aptitude refers to a person’s potential to learn and achieve music, especially in terms of tonal and rhythmic abilities.
• 🎤 Testing for musical aptitude gives teachers diagnostic information, helping to identify students who need more challenge or support.
• 🎶 Formal and informal instruction can influence a student’s music aptitude, especially before music education begins.
• 🔄 MLT lessons typically cover multiple pieces of music within a short period, ensuring varied skill development.
• 🧑‍🏫 Differentiated instruction is key in MLT: lessons should be individualized based on each student’s aptitude and abilities.
• 🎓 All music education methodologies, including MLT, Suzuki, and Kodály, agree that students should experience music through listening and singing before reading it.
• 🎶 MLT's ultimate goal is not just to teach music performance, but to help students think musically, cultivating deep musical understanding.

Q & A

What is Music Learning Theory (MLT)?

Music Learning Theory (MLT), developed by Edwin Gordon, is based on extensive research and field testing. It focuses on how individuals learn music, emphasizing the development of audiation, or the ability to think in music, before learning to perform or read music.

What is audiation in the context of music?

Audiation is the ability to think in music, similar to how we think in language. It's the process of mentally hearing and understanding music without it being physically present, and it’s essential for musical understanding and performance.

How is audiation related to language learning?

Just as language learners begin to think in a new language once they’ve mastered it, in music, audiation allows individuals to think musically. This is the key to truly understanding and internalizing music.

What is the 'whole-part-whole' learning approach in MLT?

The 'whole-part-whole' approach involves presenting a song or chant as a whole first, then breaking it down into smaller parts (patterns), and finally returning to the whole to reinforce the learned material. This helps build musical understanding progressively.

Why does MLT emphasize the importance of patterns in music education?

Patterns are key to developing a deeper understanding of music. In MLT, students learn tonal and rhythmic patterns, which are ordered yet varied, allowing them to internalize the structure of music through repeated practice.

What is the role of music aptitude in MLT?

Music aptitude refers to a person's potential to learn music, particularly their ability to audiate tonal and rhythmic elements. In MLT, aptitude is assessed to tailor instruction to individual students' needs, helping them achieve musical success based on their innate abilities.

How is music aptitude assessed in MLT?

Aptitude is assessed through diagnostic tests, which help identify the musical strengths and weaknesses of each student. These tests provide a reference point for differentiating instruction and guiding students to appropriate challenges.

What does MLT say about differentiated music instruction?

MLT advocates for differentiated instruction, which means tailoring the music education experience to each student's specific needs based on their level of audiation and music aptitude. This ensures every student receives the appropriate challenge and support.

How does MLT compare to other music teaching methodologies?

Like methods such as Suzuki or Kodály, MLT emphasizes the importance of sound before sight, meaning students should first listen to and engage with music before reading or writing it. However, MLT uniquely focuses on developing audiation as the foundation of musical understanding.

What is the significance of whole-part-whole teaching in MLT classrooms?

The whole-part-whole strategy in MLT classrooms helps reinforce understanding through a cyclical process. Students first experience music in its entirety (whole), then break it down into smaller, manageable parts (patterns), and finally return to the whole to consolidate their learning.