The goals of a music appreciation class are many. First and foremost, music appreciation students are encouraged to explore, understand, and appreciate all types of music, not just music of their own personal taste.

Rather than starting with the study of music notation, the instructor may begin with a look at the relevance of music (to culture) in both a historical and modern day context. In other words, why is music important and how did it become so important? Without understanding the role music plays in our lives, it’s difficult to measure it’s effect.

Another goal is recognizing music as an art form and a form of communication. Time will be spent on how instrumental music (without the advantage of lyrics) can evoke certain moods and emotions as well as how performers communicate with their audience.

The study of musical instruments, including those of a symphony orchestra must be part of the curriculum. Ideally, the student should be able to tell an instrument’s name by it’s sound. Instrument design and construction is sometimes studied.

A study of music appreciation must include a close look at how a composer (or songwriter) works and how a composition comes together. It’s important for the student to recognize that every composer works differently and to understand that there are many ways to arrive at the same destination. Great composers from all genres should be studied. It’s very helpful if a noted composer can lecture, take questions from students, or describe their own particular method of composing.

Various styles of music (folk, rock, Country, classical, Jazz, Hip-hop, etc) should be studied and their differences and similarities clearly defined. This often leads to a more complete and well-rounded understanding of musical styles. Studying the history of the Broadway musical may also be helpful.

Music is a fluid, ever changing and developing art from and the student must recognize and appreciate this. A good instructor will play many different types of music and help the student see how one has (or has not) influenced another. For example, rock-and-roll is deeply rooted in the Blues, where Jazz is considered a pure form of music (not necessarily influenced by other styles).

Time may be spent on learning how to listen to music and to a develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for great recordings and exceptional performances. A visit to a recording studio (particularly during a recording session) is of great help in appreciating recorded music. Beyond music, the class may include the study of the physics and the science of sound including recognizing various frequencies and wave forms. How a particular environment (a room, a city street, the outdoors) can affect sound may also be looked at.

Finally, an understanding the basics of music notation and arrangement is necessary as well as learning key terms and concepts. The student should be able to read and write simple sheet music and learn to recognize the common signs and instructions used in a performance.