Definition Patterns

Definition Patterns
Have you ever needed to define something and not sure how to go about doing it? Did you know that there is more than one way to define things? This is called definition patterns. Three examples of definition patterns are: description, process, and compare and contrast. Description is visual, verbal, or written description, which help to show the nature of what is being described. Process is describing how something is done, step by step, to give comprehension.  And finally, compare and contrast examines what is being defined, and lists similarities and differences with other things, to give greater understanding. Below is an example of each definition pattern, using a phrase or word taken from an article by Diane Persellin entitled- "Teaching Songs to Young Children: What Do Music-Teacher Educators Say?"

Aural world - (Definition)When someone refers to the aural world, they would be referring to all sounds that penetrate the ear and connect with the brain. If this term is being related to music, then it would have to do with pitch, tone, the arrangement of notes, and sometimes the words connected with these notes to make a song. 
So, when a student of music is trained to recognize what notes are being played or sung, how to harmonize with those notes, and the dynamics (loud, soft, fast and slow) of music, this knowledge all becomes part of the student's aural world. They can then recognize those same pitches, etc. in everything around them and be able to have a greater understanding of those "noises". Their aural world would now include the expanded knowledge of not just what music sounds like, but what all of the parts of music are, and how it is put together.
Vocal Modeling - (Process) How do you teach a child to sing a song? Sing it to them! This is called vocal modeling. What is the best way to go about it? Get their attention by speaking to them or looking them in the eye. Then start at the beginning of the song and sing it all the way through. At the end of the song, you can just start singing it again and again until they join in a little bit at a time. Continue this process until they have the entire song down. This may take some time depending on the song, but if the song is pleasing or fun, the desire to learn it will be strong and the time spent learning it will be considered beneficial.
Vibrato - (Compare and Contrast) Vibrato is a musical term used to describe a vocal quality that some singers use while singing. Vibrato could be compared to singing one note while driving in a car very quickly over train tracks, or a washboard road, and having the vibrations bump the pitch up and down slightly. This quality is controlled by the singer and can be used for just the long held-out notes, or used in both the longer notes and the shorter quick notes. Vibrato gives the music a fuller richer sound.
The contrast to vibrato is referred to as straight singing. This is where the pitch is held even, steady, and controlled. Like riding in a Porsche across a freshly paved freeway. Flat and smooth. Like flying across the sky in a jet on a warm clear day. No turbulence, no vibrations, no vibrato.