Description
This thesis had three main purposes. First, this study identified significant music concepts that are taught in the beginning level of children's group piano lessons. Second, this study designed activities for developing the creativity of beginners using these selected musical concepts. The last purpose was to provide teaching strategies for the selected creative activities in group lessons for four to six children. The thesis was limited to a discussion of creativity in the beginning level, including preparatory, level one, and level two. Four beginning method books, Celebrate Piano, Alfred's Basic Piano Course, Bastien Piano Basics, and Piano Adventures, were analyzed to determine the musical concepts learned by beginning piano students. Creative activities were designed for four of these beginning musical concepts. These concepts were rhythm, intervals, chords, and dynamics. The creative activities for the beginning levels were limited to creative stories, call and response, question and answer, creative ensemble, expressive choice, composition of two or four measures, accompaniments for a melody, and simple variations of melody and rhythm. The teaching strategies were designed for weekly group lessons in a studio with two pianos. The methodology included bibliographic research. The thesis concluded that simple creativity may be taught in group piano lesson. A clear and logical presentation, varied activities, and feedback are necessary when teaching creativity.
