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Abstract

This study is an investigation of the effects of a year-long program of vocal instruction I on measures of respiration (vital capacity, peak flow, duration) and singing performance (high pitch, low pitch, total range, pitch accuracy) among general music students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 (n = 269). A posttest-only control-group design was used with intact classes randomly assigned to either experimental or control conditions. Results of 2 ? 2 ? 3 factorial analyses (MANOVA and ANOVA) were as follows: (1) breath support (peak flow) may be improved with instruction; (2) vital capacity seems to be affected more by age than by instruction; (3) breath control (duration) may be improved with instruction, especially among fifth-grade students; (4) highest pitch of vocal range may be improved with instruction; (5) lowest pitch of vocal range may be improved with instruction, especially for boys; (6) total vocal range may be improved with instruction, especially for boys; (7) pitch accuracy seems to be greater for girl than for boys, and boys pitch accuracy may not be helped with vocal instruction when there is a reluctance to sing in the treble range.

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Effects of Psychomotor Instruction on Elementary General Music Students' Singing Performance

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