Effects of Training in Conservation of Tonal and Rhythmic Patterns On Second-Grade Children

This study dealt with the effects of training on the conservation of tonal patterns and rhythmic patterns. Six second-grade classes were used: three of the classes formed the experimental group, and three classes formed the control group. The training program was conducted by each class's regular music teacher during 10-minute portions of six consecutive music periods. During the experimental period the control group received regular music instruction. The experimental group exhibited a significant (.01 level) increase in scores on a conservation test devised for use in this study, while the control group's increase was not significant. The difference in gain between the groups was significant at the .05 level. There was no significant difference in scores among the three control classes or among the three experimental classes. There was no significant decrease in scores from the initial posttest to a delayed posttest administered two weeks later.