An investigation into the relevance of formal training in music education to jazz teaching in South Africa

• Main Author: Msimango, Linda Nombuso Pearl
• Other Authors: Herbst, Anri
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Environmental and Geographical Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7974

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-99). === The primary objective of the study was to investigate the necessity of equipping professional jazz teachers with general music educational principles. A sample was drawn from the students and lecturers at three selected tertiary institutions. The secondary objective was to determine who is deemed competent to teach jazz at tertiary institutions: professional players, professional players with a teacher-training qualification in jazz, or both. Three of the tertiary institutions in South Africa that offer jazz as part of their curricula were chosen: the University of Cape Town, the University of Natal, Durban, and the Technikon Natal. A questionnaire survey and interviews were utilised as the means of collecting information about issues concerning jazz education. A quantitative research design was used to analyse the results obtained from the questionnaires. The results were tabulated in basic descriptive statistical form and the interviews were qualitatively analysed. In addition, five hypotheses were formulated and tested using chi-square tests. A number of the interviewees supported the idea of equipping professional jazz teachers with general music educational principles; however, there were those who felt that their experience in the field was sufficient to enable them to be competent jazz teachers. The results from both the student questionnaire and lecturer interviews indicated that a combination of both professional players and professional players with a teacher- training qualification are needed. It was recommended that further research on jazz education should be undertaken to account for issues relating to teacher training in music education in South Africa. A curriculum that suits students and professional players who are interested in becoming competent jazz educators should be developed.