Bengt Olsson:

Higher music education as a matter of contextual learning - a discussion of a research process

Traditionally, the basic premises of a research project are only initially discussed. The emphasis is usually laid on how data is collected, theoretically and methodological aspects and the analysis of the project. However, in this paper I discuss the connections between the formulation of the research problem and the concepts and methodology being used in the research project: teaching and learning within the context of higher music in Sweden. Concepts like " practical knowledge", "discourse", "skills", "know-how", "competence", and "context" are analysed and related to the issue of musical teaching and learning. Finally, two major perspectives - "learning in the framework of a tradition" and "contextual learning" - are emphasized as two comprehensive ways of analysing the material.