Playful practices have been linked to increased motivation, engagement, learning and skill development. However, limited research has explored what playful music learning might look like for primary schools, and how teachers might incorporate a range of playful music practices within their classrooms. Our conceptual model for playful music learning amalgamates and builds upon previous philosophy, theory and research in the education and music education spheres. In doing so, it extends musical play across a continuum of ownership as has been proposed by Zosh et al. (2017) in the realm of playful learning more generally. Playful elements associated with the work of music education pedagogues Kodály and Kokas and other researchers in the field are outlined. Examples of musical games-play and guided musical play for primary classrooms are illustrated, and some recommendations are provided to support teachers in facilitating increasingly playful music learning.

Music teacher identity is constructed at the intersection between musician and teacher. This study investigated the meaning of music-making among Korean novice music teachers and its role in constructing music teacher identity. Five music teachers participated in this study, and I used two data collection methods, reflective journaling and individual interviews. The results showed that while playing their instruments outside the classroom, several music teachers understood the importance of music in their lives, which was essential in constructing music teacher identities. In addition, playing outside the classroom allowed these participants to demonstrate their musical abilities to students, parents and other teachers and gain credibility as music teachers. However, other participants did not appear to recognise the importance of the intersection between music-making outside the classroom and teaching, which was an obstacle to music-making. Music-making inside the classroom was an important pedagogical tool to teach low-level students effectively. Importantly, regardless of their level of music-making inside the classroom, novice music teachers commonly viewed professional playing skills with primary and secondary instruments as important for teaching.

The teaching-learning process, both in general and in the specialty of Music Education, has evolved and its explanatory models have become increasingly complex. In view of current challenges, it is relevant to analyse the elements that are considered necessary to train music teachers to become competent professionals. This study identifies characteristics found in specialised Spanish and international scientific literature on teaching-learning processes in music teacher education, referring to their current state as well as to desirable developments and future prospects. Although a certain overlap among emergent categories in Spain and those in other countries can be observed, we also found differences of degree, as well as interesting divergences.

Early-career secondary school music teachers navigate many challenges as they settle into the profession. These include consolidating their knowledge of subject content, gaining classroom confidence and honing skills in classroom management. In addition, their sense of belonging can be enhanced by working at collegial relationships within their faculty, across the school and feeling a part of the wider school community. These factors can elicit a ‘make or break’ response for continuing in the profession.

This paper reports on a case study of an Australian early-career secondary school music teacher, in her fifth year in the profession. The case study, as a part of a larger study, sequenced quantitative and qualitative research methods, allowing insight into the music teacher’s working life and enabled the researcher to understand factors that impact daily practice. Themes explored in the study include motivation, perception of value, stress and the difficulties of securing permanent employment. The music teacher presented a positive approach to her work through her development of resilience and shared her future goals and dreams.

This research offers suggestions on how schools and education authorities can best support early-career secondary school music teachers to enable them to become resilient, confident and valued practitioners for the future.

Higher music education institutions should continually review their curricula to ensure that their graduates are best equipped to support musical learning for children and young people. Perspectives on early careers in instrumental teaching were obtained via an alumni-led workshop and focus group at a UK conservatoire. Findings revealed that whilst extensive pedagogical training was offered, its value was not fully acknowledged across the institution and that more could be done to alleviate students’ anxieties about their developing musician identities and future stability. As new teachers, alumni are well placed to help prepare students for the professional realities of joining the music education workforce.

A tension between freedom and constraint is characteristic of improvisation practice and pedagogy, presenting challenges for teachers/workshop leaders. To create musical focus in ensemble improvisation, some sounds are encouraged, whilst others are edited out, ignored or marginalised. This article investigates improvised sounds as central or subaltern, asking how marginal sounds such as musical ‘heckles’ and off-task sounds can be accepted meaningfully into musical frameworks. I question what can be learned from subaltern sounds. How can power structures within the improvisation workshop be subverted by listening to sounds outside teacher-defined frames, and how can listening become inclusive without sessions descending into chaos?