Josh Pelchovitz, saxophone
Music, Technology and Education

When talking about the effect of teaching improvisation to music students, peer interaction is a necessary component to an effective environment. John Barron, a jazz guitarist/bassist and educator in the Michigan/Windsor area, states that “Developing musician[s] [are] more likely to learn at an efficient pace and with depth of understanding when interacting with more knowledgeable performers – older musicians and more experienced peers – and by participating in authentic musical experiences” (Barron 2007). Students learn at a better pace and with better understanding when working with other students, therefore it seems logical to team students up in some sort of Peer Mentorship Program. In a different article by Andrew Goodrich, he explores the effect of peer mentoring as a method for training improvisers within a high school band setting. The article suggests that the benefits of peer mentoring are to help students increase their level of achievement, provide more people to turn to for help, leaving the teacher to address those who need it most, and increase social aspects of learning within students, especially leadership (Goodrich 2007). ...more