Ilkogretim Online - Elementary Education Online, 2020; 19 (4): pp. 2419-2433 http://ilkogretim-online.org.tr doi:10.17051/ilkonline.2020.764432 Using Baroque music to improve reading comprehension skills Hariyatunnisa Ahmad, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia, hariyatunnisahmad@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0002-6375-768X Rukayah, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia, rukayah@staff.uns.ac.id ORCID: 0000-0002-5987-1850 Triyanto, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia, try_uns@yahoo.com ORCID: 0000-0003-0083-1018 Abstract. This article aims to improve students’ reading comprehension skills using classroom action research with a collaboration between the researcher and the teacher. This research was conducted in three cycles, each consisting of planning, implementation, and reflection. In language learning, students still find it difficult to find main ideas, to make an inference, or to determine the elements of a story. Therefore, the researcher together with the teachers tried to improve students' reading comprehension skills with baroque music-based learning, which was evidenced by the results of the pretest with the Completed category of only 40%; then, it increased to 60% in the first cycle, 73.33% in the second cycle, and 90.00% in the third cycle. The teacher and students were very enthusiastic about baroque music during learning because it can help the students focus, make them more confident, and make the teacher more enthusiastic in teaching. Keywords: Learning, Baroque music, reading comprehension skill Received: 31.01.2020 Accepted: 22.06.2020 Published: 15.09.2020 INTRODUCTION Language is a very influential factor in communication. It has a central role in intellectual, social, and emotional development. Therefore, good language skills are important to be possessed. Learning language is discussed at every level of education, starting from elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools to colleges. The purpose of language learning, especially in schools, is for the students to have the skills to communicate effectively and efficiently following applicable ethics, both verbally and in writing. Therefore, through language learning, students are directed, guided, and assisted to have the skills to communicate both verbally and in writing. One type of reading skills that students master is reading comprehension skill. Oakhil, Kain, and Elbro (2015: 1) argue that reading comprehension is important, not only reading but also understanding the purpose of the text. Reading comprehension is also very important for today's social life because it can be used to read e-mails, texts, and social networks. Reading comprehension is a complex ability that requires various abilities including cognitive abilities. Reading comprehension is a flexible and ongoing cognitive and constructive process. This confirms that reading comprehension can contribute to the development of science (Woolley, 2011: 15) Reading comprehension is more than just recognizing and understanding words. True comprehension means understanding what is read and linking ideas to the text with what is already known, as well as remembering what has been read, or understanding how to think while reading (Mikulecky and Jeffries, 2007: 74) The reading comprehension skill is an interpretation which includes answering questions based on the contents of the text, understanding the meaning of the text, finding main ideas, making conclusions, analyzing the text, generalizing, synthesizing, and building a cause and effect relationship (Gooden, et al., 2007). Reading comprehension is generally regarded as one of the most important cognitive skills acquired by students at school and is an important prerequisite for lifelong learning in adulthood (Alvermann & Earle, 2003; Mason, 2004). Woolley (2011: 15) states that it is very important to help and guide students in reading comprehension because they still have difficulty balancing their understanding with what they are reading.