There are multiple sources of motivation for musicians. There is intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation “comes from activity itself and the enjoyment experienced from engaging in it” (44). Extrinsic motivation comes from things that are nonmusical, but are rewards nonetheless. But it is possible for a musician to develop while experiencing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation simultaneously.
When learning an instrument, a lot of the time in the beginning there is no intrinsic motivation because it is repetition that creates the better musician.
Many musicians that are trained in the classical setting say that they do not like to practice, while those in the popular setting always find their practices enjoyable.
But at the beginning, when a student decides to pick up an instrument, there is intrinsic motivation. The enjoyment of picking up an instrument and learning how to play it is what draws a student to music. But it is maintaining that intrinsic “love of music” that will eventually determine how long the musician will continue in music or even how rewarding it will be for them.
Motivation from the parents and teachers to the student can keep the student in music and continuing in their training instead of dropping out. It is the job of the parents to keep the student motivated to practice outside of the classroom and private lessons, and it is up to the teacher to encourage the students to become better musicians.
Another motivation in the music classroom is the social standing the student has among the other musical peers in the classroom. This social standing strengthens the commitment to music.
“Motivation is also related to the extent to which musicians embrace challenges” (46). Students have to be willing to put in the effort to get over humps in their musical career and to set goals for themselves.
The idea the struck closest to home is the idea of the parents having to be involved to make the student a successful musician. I believe that there is no better motivation than a parent motivating their son or daughter to do what they love and to become better at it. I think the parents’ support is what really makes or breaks the students motivation to continue in music or not. Just in my experiences, the students that excelled the most in my middle and high school had parents that were behind them 100 percent.