Trying to understand the complex interplay between effective learning and personal experience is one of the main challenges for instrumental music education. Much of the research that focuses on effective learning outcomes often adopts experimental methodologies that do not allow for a thorough examination of the subjective and social processes that accompany each student's musical journey; on the contrary, contributions dedicated to the detailed analysis of the learners' lived experience often do not offer generalizable outcomes to different types of learning and teaching.

The historical contexts of music education -- Music as sociocultural phenomenon : interactions with music education -- Philosophical perspectives of music education -- Meaning and experience : the music learner -- The learner in community -- Music learning and musical development -- Curriculum -- Assessing music learning -- Methods and approaches -- Choosing music literature -- Music education technology -- Issues facing music teacher education in the 21st century : developing leaders in the field -- The inquiring music teacher -- Framing a professional life : music teacher development through collaboration and leadership.