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Virginia Tech

The effect of left-hand training on piano performance

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of left-hand training on piano performance among college students with no piano background. A pilot study and an expanded study were conducted over a two year period. Volunteers for each study were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group. The control group was instructed in the traditional manner, using simple melodies in the right hand and chordal figures in the left hand. The treatment group, however, was instructed using simple melodies in the left hand and chordal figures in the right hand. At the end of the training period, a posttest was given. The areas tested included "Pitch Accuracy in the Left Hand," "Pitch Accuracy in the Right Hand," "Rhythmic Accuracy in the Left Hand," "Rhythmic Accuracy in the Right Hand," and "Overall Technical Proficiency." The results of both studies consistently showed significantly improved playing skills in the treatment group. Future experimental research was recommended. This should include an extended training period, larger sample size, different age groups, different socioeconomic backgrounds, and different preferred hands.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Curriculum and Instruction
Department dc:contributor.department
Curriculum and Instruction
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Humphries, Carl
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Burnsed, C. Vernon
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Fenton, Kevin A.
  • Burton, John K.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-05022009-040507
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/42396

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Humphries, Carl. The effect of left-hand training on piano performance. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42396