Are there differences in practicing and motivation between beginners playing different musical instruments?

Authors

  • Susan Hallam UCL - nstitute of Education, University College London
  • Andrea Creech Laval University Quebec
  • Maria Varvarigou Canterbury Christchurch University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5965/2525530403012018054

Keywords:

Gender, Age, Instruments, Motivation, Practice, Music

Abstract

There has been considerable research on instrumental practice and musical motivation. This paper aimed to extend this research studying instrument differences in beginner players in relation to their practice and motivation. Almost 500 beginner instrumentalists and vocalists completed a questionnaire which consisted of a number of statements relating to time spent practicing, practicing strategies, organisation of practice, motivation to practice, support for playing an instrument, self-beliefs, musical identity, enjoyment of performance and musical aspirations. Participants, who were divided into seven instrumental groups (strings, woodwind, brass, piano/keyboard, guitar, drummers, and voice) responded on a seven-point Likert scale. Multivariate analysis was undertaken in relation to time spent practicing, practice strategies, attitudes towards practice and motivation. The analyses took account of instrument group, age and gender and showed the complexity of the relationships between these. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for teaching.

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Author Biographies

Susan Hallam, UCL - nstitute of Education, University College London

Susan Hallam is Emerita Professor of Education and Music Psychology at the UCL Institute of Education. She pursued careers as a professional musician and a music educator prior to becoming an academic in 1991. Her research has focused on issues relating to learning and the wider benefits of music.

Andrea Creech, Laval University Quebec

Andrea Creech is Professor of Didactique Instrumentale at Université Laval, where she holds a Canada Research Chair in music in community. Following an international orchestral and teaching career Andrea was awarded a PhD in Psychology in Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Andrea has presented at international conferences and published widely on topics concerned with and lifelong learning and participation in music.

Maria Varvarigou, Canterbury Christchurch University

Maria Varvarigou is a Senior Lecturer in Music at Canterbury Christ Church University.Her special areas of interest include music and wellbeing; ear-playing and performance practices of vernacular music; effective teaching and learning in higher and professional education, intergenerational music- -making; and choral conducting education.

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Published

2018-10-17

How to Cite

HALLAM, Susan; CREECH, Andrea; VARVARIGOU, Maria. Are there differences in practicing and motivation between beginners playing different musical instruments?. Orfeu, Florianópolis, v. 3, n. 1, p. 054–084, 2018. DOI: 10.5965/2525530403012018054. Disponível em: https://revistas.udesc.br/index.php/orfeu/article/view/1059652525530403012018054. Acesso em: 24 nov. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2018): Dossiê Psicologia da Música

Section

Special Issue

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