Lucy Green's "Hear, Listen, Play" is an influential approach to music education that builds on her earlier work on informal learning in music. The method is detailed in her 2014 book of the same name, subtitled "How to Free Your Students' Aural, Improvisation, and Performance Skills."
Lucy Green's "Hear, Listen, Play" method emphasises aural learning as a key strategy in music education. The core principles include:
- Learning by ear: Students primarily learn music through listening and imitation, rather than relying on written notation.
- Using real-world recordings: Learners work directly with authentic recordings of music, not simplified versions.
- Progressive aural skill development: Activities are structured to gradually enhance students' ability to aurally identify and reproduce musical elements.
- Encouraging improvisation: Students are prompted to create their own musical ideas based on what they hear.
- Holistic approach: Aural skills are developed in conjunction with performance and improvisation abilities.
- This approach aims to cultivate more intuitive, comprehensive musical understanding by prioritising listening and aural comprehension. It draws inspiration from how many popular musicians learn informally and seeks to incorporate these strategies into formal music education settings.
Alongside Lucy’s other work in this area, the "Hear, Listen, Play" approach has been influential in music education circles, particularly in its emphasis on aural learning and informal learning strategies. It represents part of a broader shift in music education towards more student-centered, culturally responsive pedagogies.
You can explore Hear Listen Play and reveal your own aural learning style at one of our Level 1 workshops!