To Dr. Elliott musicing should take place
through a praxial philosophy of music education. Elliott states, “The noun praxis derives from the verb prasso, meaning (among other things) ‘to
do’ or ‘to act purposefully.’ But when
we use prasso intransitively [i.e. a verb not taking a direct object] its
meaning shifts from action alone to the idea of action in a situation.” Music Matters, A New Philosophy of Music Education by David Elliott, page 14.
To
Elliott, music is always performed in community. Below are some of his beliefs concerning
praxial music philosophy which is in “community”.
By calling this a praxial philosophy I intend to
highlight the importance it places on music
As a particular
form of action that is purposeful and situated and, therefore, revealing of
one’s self and one’s
relationship with others in a community.
The term praxial emphasizes
that music ought to be understood in
relationship to the meaning and values evidenced in
actual music making and music
listening in specific cultural contexts. Music Matters, p. 14.
Those of us who know the philosophical tenants
of MEAE (music education as aesthetic education), are aware that MEAE purports
that music should be understood in terms of the aesthetic qualities of the
music without regard for the context in which one is listening or performing
it. I have contended for years that no
one can perform or listen to music in a bubble or vacuum. All active musicing or music listening is
done in the context of community. In
other words every performer or listener brings something to the performing or
listening experience—something he or she contributes and something that is
derived from community. Therefore no
one listens or performs without both internal
and external influences.
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