Educational Innovation of Piano Teaching Course in Universities

Innovations in higher music education are a way of reasonable use of information and communication technologies that increase interactivity and facilitate classroom learning. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of introducing the application aimed at improving the skill of sheet music reading. Using a mobile app to enhance the perception of music education is a relevant innovation in a large number of educational institutions. The hypothesis was that a three-month premium subscription to Complete Music Reading Trainer would improve student performance in the Multiple-Choice Questions test from AP Music Theory Practice Exam. The control and experimental groups consisted of 50 first-year pianists each from the College of Music of Xinjiang Normal University, China, whose average age was 18.7 years. The experimental group used the application not only in the classroom but also outside the educational institution while following the application program. The test results were compared with the help of the Student's t test. The average value in the experimental group was 60.88 points out of 75, which exceeds the control group indicator by 14.55 points (on average, a pianist scored 46.34 points there). The difference in the mean values across the groups turned out to be statistically significant (p = 0.000), and the t-criterion value was negative (t = -7.858). This demonstrates the effectiveness of a three-month use of a mobile application for reading sheet music. Thus, the research hypothesis was confirmed. The research results partially coincide with the findings of similar scientific studies. However, there is a small number of such publications that can promote further discussion. The study will be useful to anyone who is interested in an interactive learning environment in the field of higher music education or just wants to use a mobile phone for professional self-improvement while studying.