Educational Material using Malay Children's Folk Songs for Viola Beginners

The researchers created a method book using Malay children’s folk songs to encourage the local Malaysian teenagers to learn viola. They hope to improve the knowledge of the teenagers regarding their own music culture and to develop their abilities and playing skills faster. The research focused on compiling the contents for the method book including Malay children’s folk songs, études, piano accompaniments and an attached CD. The book comprises a blended learning approach using historical, theoretical, technical and musical teaching materials. 14 students (viola beginners) took part in the research. They were subjects used to evaluate the new method book that was used at the Department of Music and Music Education, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). This article highlights the research process of creating this method book, methodology used for solving problems, design process, trial use of the book and evaluation of the book.