Author

Michael Szabo

Graduation Year

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Kwang-Sun Blair, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Timothy M. Weil, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Keywords

Tactile feedback, skill acquisition, behavior analysis, music education

Abstract

Piano pedagogy is the study of the teaching of piano performance. Several effective methods have been developed since the early 1700's, but lack empirically supported techniques. Immediate feedback procedures have been shown to be effective with skill acquisition in various capacities within the literature. While some innovative techniques are being developed which utilize technologies such as video and sensor-based feedback, the true impact of these interventions has not been empirically validated. There is also a paucity of research in the behavioral literature evaluating the efficacy of immediate feedback procedures in acquisition of music performance. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of an immediate tactile feedback procedure for teaching basic introductory piano to new learners by teaching three unique scales, proper hand/finger positioning, rhythm and tempo. All three participants successfully acquired the different skill sets which supported the learning of a simplified arrangement for a preferred song on the part of the participants.

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