Music Aptitude and Music Achievement of Second-Grade Learners: Basis for the Development of Teacher-Support Materials

This study investigates the relationship between music aptitude and music achievement among second-grade learners and its implications for the development of teacher-support materials. The respondents consist of 156 second-grade learners enrolled in Term 2 at Thai-Singapore International School during the academic year of 2022-2023. The Primary Measure of Music Audiation was used to assess music aptitude in terms of tonal and rhythm, while Term 1 grades were obtained from progress report cards. Statistical analysis includes the T-test and the Pearson product-moment coefficient for testing significant differences and correlations, respectively. Findings revealed that according to the profile, the respondents performed well in Music in Term 1, with the majority receiving the highest possible grade. The second-grade learners at Thai-Singapore International School may have stronger tonal aptitude than rhythm aptitude. However, it was important to note that the two aspects of music were interrelated, and overall music aptitude was a combination of both tonal and rhythm aptitude. Gender did not play a significant role in determining tonal aptitude. However, there was a significant difference in music aptitude between learners with a very good grade in music and those with a good grade in music. Based on these findings, the study proposes the development of teacher-support materials, including lesson plans and instructional resources, specifically designed to improve the level of music aptitude of second-grade learners.

Music Aptitude, Music Achievement, tonal

1. Bugos, J. A., Perlstein, W. M., McCrae, C. S., Brophy, T. S., & Bedenbaugh, P. H. (2010). Individualized Piano Instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 14(3), 467-471. (Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17612811/ dated April 25, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Cherry, K. (2021). Gardner’s Theory of Musical Intelligences., Dotdash Media Inc. New York. (Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/about-us-5184564 dated May 26, 2022) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Gordon, E. (2005). Music Aptitude and Related Test, GIA Publications, Inc. Chicago (p.4) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Gordon, E (2020). Gordon Institute for Music Learning, Music Aptitude: Music Aptitude. GIA Publications Inc. (Retrieved from https://giml.org/mlt/aptitude/ dated June 02, 2022) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Graziano, P. A., Reavis, R. D., Keane, S. P., & Calkins, S. D. (2011). The role of emotion regulation in children’s early academic success. Journal of School Psychology, 49(3), 361-383. (Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004175/ dated May 2, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Hallam, S. & Holmes, S. (2017). The impact of participation in music on learning mathematics. UCL Institute of Education University College London. (Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1163197.pdf dated May 22, 2022) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Hanson, J. (2019). Exploring the Relationship Between Music Aptitude and Music Achievement Among High School Students. Journal of Research in Music Education, 67(4), 482-496 (Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/48588623 dated April 27, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Harris, E. C., Brown, J. E., & Johnson, J. (2016). The relationship between teacher expectations and student achievement in instrumental music. Journal of Research in Music Education, 64(4), 445-460 (Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022429416672414 dated April 27, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ilari, B., Helfter, C., & Huynh, K. (2020). Music Aptitude and Achievement: A Study With Middle School Students. Journal of Research in Music Education, 68(2), 152-167. (Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022429419878169 dated May 2, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Nichols, J. W. (2016). Relationships among tonal aptitude, music achievement, and music theory knowledge of high school instrumentalists. Journal of Research in Music Education, 63(3), 305-319. (Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2307/3345561 dated April 27, 2023) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar