An experimental teaching method for sight-singing education

This research was developed to provide a unique teaching method for every individual in music field to help them gain the skills to vocalize a music piece with words they have seen fort he first time without preparation or to improve their sight reading abilities and also provide suggestions and new ideas to educators who will use this method.This research is important because it focuses on sight singing education which is not included in any current training program in any music institution in Turkey. There?s not enough emphasis put on the importance of sight singing training or sight singing education which is done with unsystemized studies that are not linked to a specific program, and also it offers a unique method that can be used as a resource in this field. This study was presented to be a support but not an alternate to current music literacy lessons given in today's professional music education institutions. It is also thought to be an example for future studies in this area.In this research, two models were used together. A review of the literature was completed to collect the quantitative data required for the study. The pre-test/post-test experimental model with a control group was used to evaluate the efficiency of the sight singing method developed for the study.In this research, sampling from a population was not used and the population which was made up of 42 people consisting of all first-year students from University of Gazi, Gazi Education Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Music Education were included in the study. Students were randomly selected and divided into experient and control groups.For students included in the experiment group, a sight singing method was developed based on the research findings of relevant local and foreign resources and expert opinions. A pre-test was given to test subjects using an assessment and evaluation tool consisting of eight questions before they started training with this method. No significant difference was found between the sight singing success of the test subjects.After the pre-test and in addition to the literacy lessons (MIOY), a sight singing education consisting of three units was given to the experiment group over the course of one semester. The students in the control group only continued on the literacy classess.After the twelve week class, a post -test was given to measure the efficiency of the method and to measure if there is any significant differences between the two groups. Qualitative data were collected using the post test which was the same assessment tool used during the pre-test.After processing the data from the pre-test and post-test, it was determined that the students in the experiment group that trained with the method had significantly higher rates of growth and improvement in their behaviors related to sight reading and sight singing than did those in the control group who were not trained with this method. As a result of this research, it has been proven that including regular and short term exercises in classes will improve student's sight reading and sight singing skills. They will also improve musical reading and singing behaviors that will affect their musicality.