Music education now focuses much more on creativity. Therefore, music learning spaces need to adapt to modern learning. This also opens up the possibility of more initiative learning and abstract concepts. Designing modern music learning spaces is essential for achieving this success. We explore some top considerations for designing and installing music learning spaces.
Why music learning is important?
Providing children with the opportunity to learn the practical and theoretical sides of music should be included as part of a rounded and rich learning experience. Through this creative subject, children will gain many opportunities that can help support a deeper and richer learning.
Besides the correlation between music learning and academic success, there are many benefits that support the importance of music and creative art subjects:
Supports brain development
Providing students with the opportunity to read and write music has a positive impact on brain development. Students who comprehend musical language have greater success in tests across a range of subjects and tend to attain higher grades.
Depending on the type of instrument children learn, it can also positively affect their brain development. Certain instruments, such as the violin or guitar, require motor, cognitive, and sensory coordination to read music, play the instrument, and play the correct pitch/rhythm.
Relieves stress
The opportunity to be creative and play an instrument can also help children to relieve stress. As a result, children can benefit from greater concentration in their learning.
Supports other subjects
Music can actually help support other subjects, such as maths. From rhythms to time signatures, music can be a creative way to support maths learning.
Improve social skills
While you can play a musical instrument solo, playing as a group is much more fun. As a result, children can benefit from improved social skills as they work with peers to achieve harmonious musical playing.
Boost self-confidence
Children can also improve their self-confidence through musical learning. Whether through achieving musical goals or enhancing their ability to play an instrument, children can gain great satisfaction, and improved self-confidence.
Considerations for designing and installing music learning spaces
Given the importance of music in child development, designing the right musical and creative art space is crucial to ensure the best learning environment. Here are some of the top considerations:
Sound insulation
One of the first considerations for designing a music space is sound insulation. The sound volumes that come from music rooms can be quite extreme, therefore sound insulation is necessary to avoid disrupting other classrooms.
There is room for flexibility when determining the extent of sound insulation. Generally, a certain amount of sound passing between music rooms is acceptable. However, music rooms with percussion instruments will require more soundproofing than rooms solely for classic instruments. Drums, amplified guitars, and bass guitars are all instruments that require more soundproofing due to the higher noise levels these instruments produce.
In music classrooms where activity noise is very high and noise tolerance is low, a maximum indoor ambient noise level of 35 dB is required. Each music room requires a minimum of 60 dB of sound insulation.
Music theory classrooms, however, should prioritise speech intelligibility over enhancing acoustics. As such, the acoustic criteria for ordinary classrooms may be better suited for these spaces.
Reverberation time
Another important consideration in school music spaces is reverberation time. Spaces with hard surfaces, such as classrooms, will result in echo or reverb, which can lead to sounds becoming blurred.
The higher the reverberation time, the greater the reverberant noise level. As a result, people will naturally raise their voice or instrument noise level to accommodate. This only seeks to make the problem worse. As a result, music rooms will require appropriate acoustic absorption.
Depending on the type of music room will determine the acceptable reverberation time:
- Music classroom – less than 1 second.
- Small practice room – between 0.6 and 1.2 seconds.
- Performance room – between 1 and 1.5 seconds.
- Recording room – between 0.6 and 1.2 seconds.
- Recording control room – less than 0.5 seconds.
To combat the issue of reverberation time, absorbent panels should be utilised. These sound absorbent panels have a non-fibrous acoustic foam core that eliminates fibre fallout. This helps to absorb and baffle sound, thereby improving the reverberation time.
Recording studio
Many schools seek to implement a recording studio within their music department to teach recording techniques and music engineering. However, certain elements need to be factored into the design of a recording studio.
Room size
Many recording studios are too small or lack sufficient space to accommodate their needs. The size of the recording studio will depend on its usage. It is usually split into a live room for recording bands and a recording room for classical music.
Generally, live rooms for recording bands will be smaller. An acceptable size for a live room is 6 x 5m, as it allows for a drum booth to reduce mic bleed and moveable screens for better sound acoustics. Ceiling height is not generally an issue as it must be very acoustically absorbent.
Live rooms for recording bands require a very low reverberation time of less than 0.4 seconds. If sufficient space exists, a vocal booth can be added for better recording separation, although the drum booth can double if necessary.
In contrast, live rooms for recording classical music will require larger rooms. Close miking techniques used in pop and rock recordings are unacceptable, and a longer reverberation time is necessary.
Typically, classical recordings will use an open mic technique to obtain a blend between instruments, hence the need for a larger room size and more spacious acoustics. A space of approximately 40m2 is acceptable without a piano and approximately than 80m2 with a piano. The ceiling height should be no lower than 3m for small rooms and 4m for large rooms.
Control room
Every recording studio will require a control room. These are typically small rooms adjacent to the live room for recording equipment with observation windows into the live room. These rooms must be sufficient to house a mixing/sound desk and a small group of pupils (no more than 6).
Mixing desks for schools typically require a space of 1 x 1m, with additional consideration for wiring and plugs. Control rooms will also require a computer for editing and mixing. Monitor loudspeakers will also need suitable space separation (2 for stereo and 5 for surround). As a result, control rooms in schools should typically be around 3 x 4m minimum.
Both live, and control rooms must also accommodate various audio connections. These can range from a typical 3.5mm jack to larger 6.35mm headphone connections or XLR cables for microphones and instruments.
Ventilation
Ventilation and cooling systems will also need to be incorporated into live and control rooms due to the heat that recording equipment can produce. As a result, large cooling capacities are necessary. Any fan coils should not be visible due to the noise they produce, and instead, separate ducted systems will be required.
Technology integration
Technology plays a pivotal role in music, assisting with musical composition, improvisation, and production. As a result, many music classrooms will implement technology to support music learning.
This can range from computers with specialist music production and notation software to MIDI input keyboards. Given the wide range of music creation software available, the type of computer and software compatibility must first be determined.
Software, such as Logic Pro, is only available for macOS. However, alternatives such as Cubase, Pro Tools, Sibelius, and FL Studio are available for Windows and Mac. Each software will have different features, requirements, and pricing, which should be explored before deciding which system to opt for.
Other factors, such as the school’s IT infrastructure and budget, may also influence decisions. The performance and specs of the PCs may also be a factor in the choice. There are no regulations or guidelines for which systems or software to use; instead, it will be based on school and curriculum factors.
However, the computers should have working microphones, speakers, and headphone ports to support music learning. Connectivity to the Internet is also required, and a stable ethernet connection should be incorporated into the music classrooms.
MIDI connectivity will also be required to connect a musical keyboard. Most music production software provides the ability to record music through a MIDI input. As such, MIDI connectivity can help support music learning and improve students’ musical ability.
It’s also important to ensure that teachers are sufficiently trained in using such technology and software to ensure effective use of the equipment is possible. IT technicians may also require training to manage music-specific systems or servers.
Utility fittings
Utility fittings, such as lighting and piping, can cause ambient noise unsuitable in some music learning spaces. Here are some factors to consider for minimising indoor ambient noise:
- Opting for quiet fan ventilation or air handling units.
- Minimise noise from hot water heating systems through good design – choose quiet valves and pumps.
- Hot water pipes should not be in contact with building construction – use pipe brackets and flexible penetration details.
- Avoid using 50Hz fluorescent lighting due to the humming or buzzing noise. – opt for high-frequency fittings
Both primary and secondary music rooms, alongside control rooms, should have an upper limit for indoor ambient noise of 40 db for refurbishments and 35 db for new builds. A practice room and recording studio should not exceed 35 db for refurbishments and 30 for new builds.
Seating and layout
The FF&E and layout of a music classroom can significantly impact children’s learning. As a result, music classrooms should be open and collaborative, encouraging children to play musically with their peers.
A music classroom can be adapted for teaching and learning by incorporating flexible seating arrangements. Alternatively, designated collaborative spaces can help support collaboration and active learning. Interactive and flexible learning spaces are one component of learner-centred environments.
The comfort and seating in a music classroom can also impact student learning, enjoyment, and musical creativity. Comfortable and ergonomic seating is essential to ensure a supportive learning environment that helps students to focus and thrive.
Instrument storage
Sufficient instrument storage should also be considered in music departments. Not only does storing musical instruments take up space, but valuable instruments will require safe storage to prevent damage or theft.
Typically, storage cupboards with appropriate shelving will suffice for storing most instruments. Percussion instruments can be placed on a percussion trolley, with separate compartments for different instruments.
Other instruments can be placed safely on suitable open shelving. As these instruments should already be safe inside a case, there is less risk of damage. Instruments like keyboards may require separate storage, such as a keyboard storage trolley.
Whatever storage unit you choose for safely storing music, it’s important to ensure the room or cupboard is safely locked after use. Other music equipment, such as music stands, mic stands, cabling, and sheet music, may also require storage to avoid cluttering teaching spaces.
Designing successful music learning spaces can be challenging, with many factors to consider. Always decide on the purpose and usage of the music spaces first. Then, following the considerations above will help to provide a music learning space that encourage learning success.