Building a Principle for the Interpretation of Teaching Materials for School Music Lessons : Based on "a Philosophy in a New Key" by S. K. Langer

Abstract

This paper discusses a principle for the interpretation of teaching materials for school music lessons on the basis of "a Philosophy in a New Key" by S. K. Langer and the theory of music learning. It is the task of music teachers to interpret teaching materials from the viewpoint of musical abilities which children are expected to cultivate. Music is a symbol which is created to share a subjective reality, or feeling. Therefore, teaching materials for music lessons can also be a symbol. According to Langer, 'symbol-function' involves four terms; the subject, the object, the symbol and the concept. Meaning is a function of these four terms. It is then assumed that these four terms are available for the interpretation of teaching materials. Such being the case, a method can be developed for designing teaching plans.