2007 Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 31-39
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effectiveness of local folk songs as teaching materials in music education by conducting classes using Akita folk songs and analysing and considering their effects on students. Comparison was made by dividing the students into three groups: (a) a group which did not learn any folk songs; (b) a group which learned only Akita folk songs; (c) a group which learned both Akita and Okinawa folk songs. Analysis was made on data collected from two questionnaires. Questionnaire 1, utilizing the SD method (20 questions), revealed three elements related to the image of folk songs: affinity, musical features and regional understanding. Questionnaire 2 revealed three elements: heightened interest in and deepened understanding of the region; musical features and positive attitude; general increase of pride for Akita folk songs. From these data, it has become clear that studying folk songs leads to the formation of "an understanding of the traditional music culture of the region and an attitude of respect," and comprehensively enhances students' belief in the value of music classes, deepened their appreciation for traditional Japanese music and understanding toward their homeland. Furthermore, it was found that providing more than one educational tool for comparison purposes proved more effective in the teaching of folk song lessons.
