A Relational Analysis of Pedagogical Methods for Accordion, Electronic Keyboard, Organ, and Piano

Author(s)

Brian BerlinFollow

Date

5-2017

Department

School of Music

Degree

Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)

Chair

David K Schmal

Keywords

Accordion, Content Analysis, Keyboard, Organ, Pedagogy, Piano

Disciplines

Music | Music Education | Music Theory | Other Music

Recommended Citation

Berlin, Brian, "A Relational Analysis of Pedagogical Methods for Accordion, Electronic Keyboard, Organ, and Piano" (2017). Masters Theses. 447.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/447

Abstract

While it is expected that musicians specialize in a single area, like piano, a complete keyboard education should also incorporate experiences on all keyboard instruments. There is no single method that teaches multiple keyboard instruments simultaneously. Willard Palmer, Bill Hughes, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco co-wrote independent courses of instruction for different keyboard instruments: accordion, electronic keyboard, organ, and piano. However, no guide to align the material exists. This study establishes objective criteria for aligning these courses and provides a cross-reference tool. The samples chosen for analysis include: Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course, Palmer-Hughes Spinet Organ Course, and Alfred's Basic Electronic Keyboard Method. Relational (content) analysis methodology is employed. The analytical units consist of elements taken from the printed music and are categorized as form elements and action elements. Tabular and graphical analyses are employed to process the data. The results are drawn from regression models representing the relative complexity of the right-hand parts in each method book. Using these results, correlations are established across the four keyboard methods.