NAEP Arts -- Rock Music Improvisation Exercise--Student Samples

Rock Music Improvisation Exercise--Student Samples

In the first task in the session (improvising on the keyboard with the background music), students were assigned two separate scores: one score for general ability to play in rhythm with the background music and one score for the overall musical interest and appeal of the improvisation. Each was assessed with a four-level guide ranging from Inadequate to Developed. Because of the elementary nature of the first guide (ability to play in meter/rhythm), different descriptors for the first guide were used for Level 2 (Marginal) and Level 3 (Partial) responses than for most four-level guides in the NAEP music assessment.

Percentage of Eighth-Graders Receiving Various Scores -- Meter/Rhythm

NOTE: Of the 19 percent of student responses in the lowest score level, 3 percent consists of omits and otherwise unscorable responses.

Percentage of Eighth-Graders Receiving Various Scores -- Overall Musical Interest and Appeal

NOTES: Percentages do not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Of the 22 percent of student responses in the lowest score level, 3 percent consists of omits and otherwise unscorable responses.

Three Sample Student Performances: Keyboard Improvisation

Student 1
In this performance, the student demonstrates a strong sense of rhythm, although the improvisation received a score of Limited for Melodic Interest and Appeal. The student plays very simple quarter note patterns throughout. In one section of the improvisation, notes are played slightly off-the-beat. However, the student does not include rhythmic figures of any complexity, and the melodies fail to have any overall shape or sense of direction.

Play student 1 sample.

Audio: 1:22

Student 2
This performance was scored Partial for Meter/Rhythm and Adequate for Melodic Interest and Appeal. The student develops ideas of moderate interest and complexity, and is in rhythm with the background music during most (but not all) of the improvisation. The student’s melodies suffer from a lack of overall shape and direction although some patterns played are of some interest.

Play student 2 sample.

Audio: 1:22

Student 3
This is a strong performance in terms of both Meter/Rhythm and Melodic Interest and Appeal. Throughout the improvisation, the student plays with a solid sense of meter and pulse and is clearly in rhythm with the background music, with few deviations. The student shows sophisticated use of syncopation, experiments with the use of harmony (playing two notes together), and develops motives of relative complexity.

Play student 3 sample.

Audio: 1:24

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Keyboard Improvise | Keyboard Original Melody | Vocal Improvise | Self-Evaluation

Explore a variety of exercises and student responses from the music, theatre, and visual arts assessments in the 1997 NAEP Arts Report Card.

Rock Music Improvisation Exercise--Student Samples

Last updated 16 December 2003 (CC)