Edwin E. Gordon

Edwin E. Gordon was an influential American music educator known for his research on music learning and development. He developed a theory called Audiation, which refers to the ability to hear and understand music silently in the mind—similar to how we can internally understand spoken language without hearing it. His work emphasizes the importance of early and natural musical experiences, encouraging active participation and listening. Gordon’s approach has shaped modern music education by highlighting how children learn music naturally and how educators can foster this innate ability through engaging and developmentally appropriate methods.