Developing a Brazilian band method book: Phase II

This study relates a pilot test of a band method book for group instruction written to be used in Brazilian music education. It documents how much of the content could be taught efficiently through three one-hour classes a we ek in a specific school. To study the quality of the learning, tests were a pplied to measure the achievements of the three abilities presented in the book: instrumental technique, music reading, and aural skills. The results show that with three classes a week, in six months, it is possible to teach the first 17 pages of the book, learn some pieces not included in the book , and perform four concerts. In six months the school had a band playing si mple pieces. On the other hand, in six months, with the traditional Brazili an approaches of elementary instruction of band instruments, there would be no band yet, the students still would be limited to individual lessons, an d they would not have had adequate training on aural skills. Studies concer ning the preparation of textbooks for music education through collective in struction of instruments are important to Brazilian music education because they may improve the quality of instrumental music and help lower its cost .