A Study about Motivation: Using Popular Music Education Approaches for Private Piano Students

• Main Authors: MAURICIO JOSE POUJOL BRINCKER, 馬毅修
• Other Authors: SARAH BARNES-TSAI
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/acra44

碩士 === 國立臺北藝術大學 === 文創產業國際藝術碩士學位學程(IMCCI) === 107 === Motivation is undisputedly the most important factor in student learning. Music educators realize for people to become proficient performing musical instruments requires much diligence, dedication and perseverance. Specifically, in piano studies the required muscle movements and independence between hands are only two of the necessary technical skills. It is therefore imperative to keep piano students keenly interested in all aspects of their music lessons. This is becoming increasingly difficult as the people of today are most associated with popular styles of music but the repertory taught in music schools and private lessons in general is classical music taught by traditional methods. This has a direct impact on students' motivation. When they do not identify with the type of music being taught in their piano lessons, the result is a lack of desire to practice, and the students often redirect their interest and invest their time in more appealing and satisfying activities. A qualitative approach was used for this study. The researcher selected students that had previously received piano lessons with a traditional classical music method and taught them piano using a popular music method for a period of six months with the purpose of studying if and how motivation and interest were increased. A series of questionnaires and interviews based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) were completed by each student. Natural and unstructured observation were also part of this study. According to the SDT, to the degree in which the basic needs of relatedness, autonomy and competence are fulfilled, the more motivated a person will be. Findings showed the popular music methods satisfied each one of the students’ basic psychological needs, resulting not only in students’ being highly motivated but also enhancing their passion for music and music making.