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Psychology for Musicians$
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Andreas C. Lehmann, John A. Sloboda, and Robert H. Woody

Print publication date: 2007

Print ISBN-13: 9780195146103

Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: October 2011

DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195146103.001.0001

Motivation

Chapter:
(p. 44 ) 3 Motivation
Source:
Psychology for Musicians
Author(s):

Andreas C. Lehmann

John A. Sloboda

Robert H. Woody

Publisher:
Oxford University Press
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195146103.003.0003

This chapter tackles motivation and its crucial role in the development and improvement of musical skills. The manifestations of motivation are treated as behaviors, and its sources are identified and classified as either intrinsic or extrinsic. The chapter also presents the results of research on the topic. First, it is found that music is intrinsically motivating and that the support of parents and mentors are vital in generating and sustaining this motivation. The next point revealed is that a musician's social standing among his peers, coupled with his own self-perceptions of ability and success, help to strengthen his commitment to the art. Lastly, motivation in music is linked to the musician's own reaction towards challenges. Musicians who aim for mastery in their field have been found to exert all necessary efforts in achieving this end result, which allows them to enjoy otherwise repetitive and tedious practice activities.

Keywords:   motivation, music, musician, social standing, self-perception

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