Rhythmic recognition and dictation : a microcomputer-based approach

During the last twenty years computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in music education has progressed from the experimental, in which programs were developed and presented on mainframe computers, to integrated settings in which microcomputers are used on a more cost-effective basis to develop and deliver courseware. In rsponse to tremendous growth in this area, commercial programmers have become significant contributors in courseware development. A recent survey of CAI products in music education by Moorhead (1987) reveals that out of eighty-nine progarms only five are concerned exclusively with rhythmic training. While these programs are well designed products, a need exists for programs containing a variety of specialized features for education. This project was undertaken in order to address that need. During the completion of this study, twenty-three programs were developed, producing a series of ten lessons in rhythmic recognition and dictation. All programs are designed to operate on any computer in the "Apple II" line and were coded in Applesoft BASIC. The programs make extensive use of The Musician's Toolbox by Daley, Kolosnick, and Turner (1987) for sound reproduction and graphics creation. The rhythmic exercides developed in this study utilize a pool of 375 short melodic examples and provide immediate feedback in teh form of evaluation and diagnosis of the user's response. Tests are competency based and are structured in a combined drill-test format.