Nonverbal Communication in the Music Classroom

In this literature review, I examine the importance of using nonverbal communication in the music classroom. I first offer insights from the general literature on communication, which has highlighted how nonverbal skills help people to connect and communicate more effectively with others. I then make connections to music education, where we regularly implement nonverbal communication through various means, such as conducting gestures and facial expressions in ensemble contexts. I discuss the importance of finding an optimal balance between verbal and nonverbal instruction to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of musical rehearsals—particularly within culturally diverse populations in which linguistic differences may complicate traditional verbal communication efforts. I conclude by offering possibilities for further research that might provide greater insight into these findings