What is Gig Based Learning? (2025 Update)

About this video

• Video Title: What is Gig Based Learning? (2025 Update)
• Channel: Gig Based Learning
• Speakers: Brad (implied speaker)
• Duration: 00:08:45

Overview

This video explains the concept of Gig-Based Learning (GBL), a philosophically driven approach to music teaching and learning that emphasizes practical application within the context of a "gig." It aims to foster critical reflection, community, and authentic music-making, contrasting with standardized, managerial approaches to education.

Key takeaways

• Definition of Gig-Based Learning (GBL): GBL is music teaching and learning that occurs within the context of a gig, defined as any opportunity to share music by an agreed deadline, with the core components being evidence of learning and a deadline.
• Core Philosophy: GBL seeks to protect, develop, and promote careful, creative, authentic, agentic, ethical, and joyful active music-making in the classroom, guided by the maxim "it's all about the gig."
• Cultural Foundation: GBL embraces a culture of "show business," welcoming students into musical traditions and encouraging critical engagement with them. It views music as an activity ("musicing") that people do together.
• Expanded Definition of "Gig": A gig encompasses not just performance, but any involvement in a musical event, including composing, dancing, or even logistical roles, highlighting that all aspects are part of the music-making process.
• Concept of "Musicing": Borrowing from Christopher Small, "musicing" refers to the entire activity of preparing for and participating in a gig, emphasizing that all present are involved in music-making, regardless of their specific role.
• Teacher's Role and Scope: GBL empowers music teachers with purview over all aspects of the music-making space, from pre-production to backstage, viewing it all as integral to the gig.
• Community and Collaboration: GBL fosters a "musician-student" and "musician-teacher" dynamic, encouraging collaborative music-making and emphasizing that "everyone in this room is a musician."
• Four Fields of Musicing: The video touches upon Thomas Turino's four fields: participatory, presentational, high-fidelity, and studio audio art, suggesting GBL aims to blur these lines and expand possibilities.
• Focus on the Person: GBL prioritizes the care, growth, and positive transformation of students as individuals, stating that "students are infinitely more important than the gig."
• Music Education as Life Education: The ultimate goal is for music education to be integrated with life education, fostering human flourishing, a lifelong love of music, and a connection to one's common humanity.