EFFECTIVE USE OF STAFF NOTATION AS PANACEA FOR SIGHT-READING PHOBIA AMONG YOUTH BASED CHOIRS IN ABAKALIKI

Abstract

There are two most popular systems of notation in music, namely Tonic Solfa notation and Staff Notation. Most Nigerian church choirs and secular choral groups adopt Tonic Solfa in learning songs. This they believe is relatively easier than Staff Notation. However, some choral groups encourage their members to learn Sight-reading of Staff while some find this acceptable method of learning songs difficult. Most disturbing is the fact that many choral groups that face this difficulty are made up of young people. Majority of them passed through Basic schools where they offered music. It becomes a problem when young people who are expected to invest their youthful strength, inquisitive attitude, and adventurous character in exploring the benefits and time saving advantages of Sight-singing detest it. This study is aimed at investigating how effective music teachers use Staff Notation in teaching songs in secondary schools. And its attendant effect among choral/singing groups made up of young people. The researcher employed the survey method of research in this study. Instruments used for data collection for this research was questionnaire and observation. The questionnaire was distributed to music teachers, secondary school students that offer music and some choristers of youth based choirs. The study shows that despite the fact that many music teachers are familiar and good with Staff Notation as a method of teaching and learning songs, they seldom use it. The teachers believe that using Sight-singing method to teach songs consumes time. However, whenever it is used, it is introduced to the students in a wrong manner which denies the students the pleasure of learning songs with it. The study recognizes the need to decondition the mind of young choristers from the belief that Staff Notation should be for classical music only. The study concludes by advocating the gradual introduction of Sight-singing in teaching students. Starting from familiar songs like folk songs and rhymes.