David Elliott argued that music education should be taught through what approach?

• A. Music should be taught through aesthetics; focusing on feeling and emotion.
• B. Music should be taught through formal theory and technical drills.
• C. Music is innate and must be nurtured by the age of 9.
• D. Music should be taught through praxis; which emphasizes experience and performance.

Answer: (D)

David Elliott argues for a praxis-based approach to music education, where learning happens through active music-making and performance, paired with reflection. Students engage in composing, improvising, performing, and listening in real musical contexts, then think about what worked and how to improve. This approach treats music as lived practice, integrating skills, understanding, and collaboration in authentic activity.

This stands in contrast to focusing solely on aesthetics—where emphasis is on feeling and emotion from listening—or on formal theory and drills that separate technique from making music. It also moves away from the idea that music ability is innate or fixed by a certain age. Praxis centers on doing and reflecting, building musical literacy through real, experienced practice.