In the educational system of the Republic of Serbia, subjects Harmony and Harmony with harmonic analysis are taught in high music schools and institutions of high education. The subject Harmony, which is closely professional, is taught in all departments, starting from the second year of high music school. The established methodological syllabus of this subject includes theoretical lectures, practical harmonization (completing harmonic tasks and practical harmonization on an instrument) and harmonic dictation. The subject Harmony with harmonic analysis is complemented with the analytical dimension in high music education and the permanent contact of students with music literature by authors from different style epochs.
Doctoral dissertation under the name Innovative approaches in teaching Harmony as a part of the reform of middle and high music education is comprised of a theoretical and methodological section. The descriptive method is applied in this dissertation, taking into accoun...t the nature of this research, as well as methods of pedagogical document analysis and theoretical analysis.
The theoretical section elaborates the important terms, music education on all levels and reformation processes of middle and high music education. The subject Harmony, which is of high significance in the music education process of future educationalists, theoreticians, conductors, composers, musicologists, ethnomusicologists and artists, has altered its name, content, character, its place in school documents, course books, and the education and development of students.
Considering the basic goal of this dissertation – introducing the innovative approaches in teaching subjects Harmony and Harmony with harmonic analysis, two approaches emerged that would make these subjects more creative and more related to other music disciplines.
The first group of innovative processes encompasses pedagogical renovations as an idea of creating something new without much change, in continuity with what preceded, in practical harmonization on an instrument. The dissertation offers parts that contribute to obtaining the desired results – free and creative practical harmonization on an instrument that represents a way to a higher level of development of a young person – to artistry. The results of this theoretical research imply the necessity for introduction of these innovative approaches with the goal of modernization and improving the quality of the teaching process in music education. The importance of using the characteristic cadence processes from the structure of protestant chorals by J. S. Bach is emphasized in this context as the second group of innovative approaches.
