The Influence of Piano Students’ Sociodemographic Characteristics, Motivation, and Self-Efficacy on Their Achievements and Aspirations for Continuing Music Education

Abstract

Motivation, self-efficacy and certain personality traits are important factors for the success of piano students, and they also influence student aspirations for further music education. In addition to these factors, the paper studies certain sociodemographic characteristics, as predictors of the continuation of music education. The aim of the research was to examine the aspirations and predictors of piano pupils to pursue music education. The research was conducted in the following schools: »Josip Hatze« Music School in Split, »Ivan Matetić Ronjgov« Music School in Rijeka, and the three largest music schools in Zagreb, »Pavao Markovac« Music School, »Vatroslav Lisinski« Music School, and »Elly Bašić« Music School. The respondents were 215 piano students aged 12‒18. The closedended research questionnaires included five subscales adapted for the purposes of this research, along with a new scale of piano practice efficacy, which represents a contribution to piano pedagogy. This paper explains many motivational factors, self-effective practice, and certain sociodemographic characteristics that affect students’ performance and aspirations, while participation in school competitions and international awards were found to be the most important factors for enrolling at music academies. Finally, in terms of explaining success and aspirations for further education, we can also highlight the importance of educational structure, parental support, and primary school performance.