Student experiences with studio instruction

The purpose of the study was to examine students’ experiences of independent music lessons, and to ascertain what factors predicted enjoyment and success, especially those predictors arising from self-regulation learning theory. A self-report survey was used to gather data on student demographics, practising habits, musical skills, achievements, and enjoyment. The survey was distributed through a Canadian conservatory system and other music schools in Canada, yielding 3920 surveys for analysis. Intrinsic motivation was the most salient predictor of enjoyment, persistence, and beliefs regarding musical self-efficacy for these highly engaged students. Additional contributing predictors for successful performance included focussing on aural abilities, motivation to acquire musical skills, and prior success at performing in public. The paper closes with a discussion of the role of intrinsic motivation for lifelong musicianship, as well as how future research might focus on broadening the student sample and on cross-validating student results with data from parents and teachers.