A Study on the Use of Plastic Instruments in Music Curriculum towards the Plastic-Free Era

The purpose of this study is to find plastic instruments used in music curriculum and provide alternative instruments, which are the cause of environmental pollution. For this purpose, the plastic instruments used in 72 music textbooks published from the 1st to the 2015 revised curriculum were organized and analyzed. As a result of this study, first, plastic recorder and melodica(melodion) were used for the first time in music textbooks applied to the 2nd curriculum(1963-1973). Second, plastic instruments such as recorder, melodion, tambourine, sogo drum, egg shakers, and boomwhackers were found in music textbooks. Lastly, the number of musical instruments made of plastic has increased slightly in authorized music textbooks. For ecological sustainability, it is necessary to reduce the use of plastic instruments in music textbooks and provide instruments made of eco-friendly materials and wood.