The Effect of Music Notation Software on Improving the Level of Improvisation Playing and Singing of Children's Songs for College Students

Background and Aim: Traditional music education methods may be outdated and fail to engage students accustomed to interactive learning. Integrating computer technology into teaching can provide a dynamic platform to enrich teaching methods and address the monotony of conventional instruction. This study is designed to explore the efficacy of JPW software in enhancing children's impromptu playing and singing skills, its role as an educational tool in advancing these musical competencies, and the level of satisfaction among children with its use in learning environments. Materials and Methods: The study focuses on second-year Preschool Education majors from Yiyang Normal College of Higher Vocational Education. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, each comprising 42 students. Under the mentorship of their instructors, both groups were tasked with learning to play and sing ten children's songs over 12 weeks. In the qualitative phase of the study, ten students from the experimental group were randomly selected for interviews conducted in the 13th week. The control group was taught using conventional methods, whereas the experimental group was introduced to the JPW music notation software to support their learning of children's song improvisation and singing. An independent samples T-test was employed for statistical hypothesis testing, complemented by content analysis for the qualitative assessment of data. Results: Quantitative results: there is a significant improvement in the experimental group students' performance in accuracy, artistic expression, piano accompaniment, arrangement ability, and singing and playing coordination skills when JPW software is applied in children's song improvisation courses. Qualitative results: students have responded positively to the application of JPW software in children's song improvisation accompaniment classes. Conclusion: This study's results show that JPW software is significantly superior to traditional teaching methods in cultivating students' musical ability.