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The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School School of Music THE EXPERIENCES OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN INFORMAL PIANO SETTINGS: EXPRESSIONS OF MEANING AND VALUE A Dissertation in Music Education by Lauren Kooistra © 2013 Lauren Kooistra Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2013 ii The dissertation of Lauren Kooistra was reviewed and approved* by the following: Joanne Rutkowski Professor of Music Education Graduate Program Chair Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Ann C. Clements Associate Professor of Music Education Darrin H. Thornton Assistant Professor of Music Education Timothy P. Shafer Professor of Music Kimberly A. Powell Associate Professor of Education and Art Education *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School. iii Abstract The purpose of this study was to seek insight into what children found meaningful and valuable when participating in an informal child-oriented piano lesson setting. I embraced a qualitative approach to research, using ethnographical techniques and a phenomenological lens. The study was guided by the question “What is the nature of a child’s engagement in an informal child-oriented piano lesson setting?” Two girls were purposefully selected to participate in the study and were given individual informal piano lessons over the course of two semesters by me, the researcher. Data were collected primarily via video recording of the lessons and journaling of my perceptions. The data were considered through the lens of lifeworld existentials: lived space, lived body, lived time, lived other, (Van Manen, 1990) and lived musicality. This resulted in emergence of themes and sub-themes regarding the children’s engagement in the lesson setting. Findings include the children engaged in the setting by expanding the boundaries of the room, by using their bodies, by directing the time, by participating in multiple relationships, and by musicking. Identified expressions of value and meaning making include movement in relationship to space, with expression and variety; flexibility of time, where ideas can evolve, return, or be abandoned; use of materials as elements for their control; development of complex pretend contexts; rich music making in wide variety; investment in and direction of ideas; and being with the adult. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ………...................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgments……...................................................................................................... ix Dedication……………. .......................................................................................................x PRELUDE: STARTING WHERE I STARTED .................................................................1 Introduction: Stacy ...................................................................................................1 My History with Stacy .................................................................................2 My Music Learning Journey ....................................................................................4 My Music Teaching Journey ...................................................................................5 Before Stacy .................................................................................................5 I Explore Informal Music Guidance ............................................................6 I Embrace Informal Music Guidance .........................................................11 A Typical Lesson with Ruby .........................................................11 Evolution of the Wiggle Song ........................................................14 My Teaching Continues to Change ............................................................16 Connecting to the Current Study............................................................................17 CHAPTER ONE: ADDRESSING THE RATIONALE…….. ..........................................19 Music Learning for Young Children......................................................................22 Early Childhood Music Classes .................................................................22 Traditions of Piano Pedagogy ....................................................................24 Readiness Reconsidered.........................................................................................27 Blending Early Childhood Music and Piano Pedagogy .............................28 An Informal Child-oriented Piano Lesson Setting.....................................29 Purpose and Guiding Question ..............................................................................31 CHAPTER TWO: UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN ......................................................33 Meaning, Motivation, Interest, and Engagement ...................................................35 Settings and Situations for Thriving ......................................................................37 Play….. ......................................................................................................43 Child-Oriented Learning Experiences .......................................................44 Informal Learning ......................................................................................45 Role of the Adult ........................................................................................46 The Musical Child..................................................................................................48 “Music” Defined ........................................................................................48 v Nature of Children’s Musicking ................................................................49 Nature of Musical Development ................................................................51 Nature of a Musical Identity ......................................................................56 Nature of Musical Meaning .......................................................................58 Music Learning in Educational Settings for Young Children ...............................61 Informal Educational Settings ....................................................................62 Musical Play...............................................................................................65 Musical Guidance in Educational Settings for Young Children ............................66 Piano Lesson Settings for Young Children ............................................................72 Summary……… ....................................................................................................76 Connecting to the Purpose of the Study .....................................................79 CHAPTER THREE: CONDUCTING THE STUDY ........................................................81 Purpose Statement and Guiding Question .............................................................81 Methodological Considerations .............................................................................82 Ethnographical Influences on Method .......................................................83 Phenomenological Influences on Method ..................................................84 The Participants .....................................................................................................87 Eden….. .....................................................................................................87 Personality Characteristics .............................................................88 Home and Family Situation ...........................................................88 Musical Background ......................................................................89 Lesson Logistics.............................................................................90 Kathleen .....................................................................................................91 Personality Characteristics .............................................................92 Home and Family Situation ...........................................................92 Musical Background ......................................................................92 Lesson Logistics.............................................................................93 The Setting….. .......................................................................................................94 Lesson Logistics.........................................................................................94 Lesson Planning .........................................................................................94 Lesson Materials and Activities .................................................................96 Method……… .......................................................................................................97 Data Collection ..........................................................................................98 Data Analysis .............................................................................................99 Addressing Issues of Validity ..............................................................................104 vi CHAPTER FOUR: DESCRIBING AND REFLECTING ON LIFEWORLD THEMES109 Introduction…… ..................................................................................................109 Organization of the Chapter. ....................................................................110 Lived Space: The Child Engages in the