Expressive learning and gender differences in Music Higher Education

Abstract

At a time when equality between women and men is considered necessary in most Western cultures, the result of investigations in the area of music shows that gender differences are still present. That affects aspects such as: a) the students’ instrumental choice; and b) career opportunities, mainly regarding composition and orchestral conducting. From an educational approach this paper considers whether a change in the current situation of these aspects is observable and if there are gender differences in the utilization of strategies of teaching and learning of musical expressivity. 196 English and Spanish students of Higher Education provided information regarding this situation, and results indicate that differences persist in these general aspects and that women compared to men consider more relevant the utilization of strategies such as metaphors and images.