Investigating the teaching and learning of Aural skills in music in selected Kampala secondary schools

Abstract

The teaching and learning of aural skills in music in Kampala secondary school, must be re-defined in the role and structural nature of teaching music. The approach of teaching aural skills is ineffective due to inadequate methodologies and subsequent creativity of the music teachers‟ individual musicianship skills. Henceforth aural skills are the weakest performed aspect of music on national and school internal examinations. The research therefore begun with a review of all the available related literature on the teaching and learning of aural skills in music in Kampla and Uganda, however it is very limited and hence prompted the researcher into the field to find a way forward. The main objective of the study was to examine the instructional and pedagogical approaches used to teach aural skills, the students perception of aural skills and to investigate on the effects of music educators‟ skills and training in the teaching and learning of aural skills in Kampala Secondary schools. In ascertaining and gathering data for this study, five selected secondary school in Kampala where used to represent secondary schools in Uganda while employing the mixed methods approach together with questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary analysis as the aiding research tools. In conclusion, aural skills are of significant importance in the teaching and learning of most aspects of music education in secondary schools and one of the main recommendations is that music teachers should be well trained in aural skills so as to transform the music field into a successful one.