The Investigation on Harmonic Teaching Strategies for the Efficiency Development of Music Learning Skills: A Case Study of A Junior Middle School in China

Abstract

The aims of this study are to encourage harmonic skills, assess cooperative learning teaching methods for teaching harmony in group piano classes, to enhance harmony abilities via the study of music and to study how learning music improves efficiency in order to foster harmony abilities.  This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining literature review, semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and expert evaluation to investigate harmonic teaching strategies and music education at Nanjing Arts Institute Affiliated Middle School. The results shows that teachers' assessment of cooperative learning strategies in harmony teaching showed overall positive results. Individual teacher characteristics, especially teachers' gender, age and educational background, significantly influenced the selection of cooperative learning strategies. Students gave positive comments on the skill level, musical expression, harmonic understanding, collaborative coordination, and learning interest in teaching harmony. Individual characteristics of students such as gender, age and grade level have an impact on their assessment of the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The use of more comprehensive and targeted cooperative learning strategies is associated with higher levels of teaching effectiveness in group piano programs.