Design and Validation of Software for the Training and Automatic Evaluation of Music Intonation on Non-Fixed Pitch Instruments for Novice Students

Abstract

Music education, whether professional or amateur, includes learning musical instruments. Intonation is a critical factor in their training. The main objective of this research work is the design and validation of online educational software for the real-time training and evaluation of intonation in non-fixed pitch musical instruments, such as fretted string instruments (violin, viola, and cello) and brass instruments (trumpet, horn, and trombone). This software is intended to create a practice artefact for novice music students. A design sciences research methodology is adopted to achieve a product tested for functionality and usability. Novice students carry out the validation phase through a study consisting of previous practice with the software and the administration of a questionnaire with open-ended items grouped in technical-didactic, emotional, and overall dimensions, plus two additional questions. The results show evidence that the software was well received, confirming previous studies on the design and validation of educational music education software.

Keywords

• music education
• software design
• intonation
• teaching brass instruments
• teaching bowed stringed instruments