Motivation in Higher Instrumental Education: A Survey with Music Teacher Candidates in Turkey

Abstract

Actual research show that more systematic studies are needed on how or why motivation phenomenon occurs in musical contexts. All research with different socio-economic and socio-cultural characteristics in different countries and geographical regions may provide important information to help explain the relationship between instrument training and motivation. In this context, the aim of the study is to examined the motivation of a group of music teacher candidates and relationship with various variables. The study was carried out in Turkey, at a public university and in a city that differs according to many cities in terms of socio-economic structure and dynamics. The study group consisted of students (N=86) enrolled in Music Teacher Training Bachelor Program of the University. The data were collected with advisor database, demographic data form and ‘The Motivation Scale for Individual Instrument Course’ developed by Girgin (2015). To analyze the data, frequency and percentage distribution, t-test, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman’s Correlation were used. The results showed that the students’ motivation levels of the individual instrument lesson were high-level in the dimensions of amotivation and success motivation and medium-level in the dimension of study motivation. The general motivation was high-level. There was no significant difference between general motivation level and gender, grade level and graduated high school. On the other hand, it was determined that the motivation scores differed significantly in favor of the groups that chosing the instrument voluntarily and devoted more time to practice the instrument. It was found that there was a positive correlation between motivation and course success. The results were discussed within the framework of the corporate culture and the socio-economic and socio-cultural characteristics of the city and the students.