Correlation of Piano Lesson Success of Music Teacher Candidates with Their Piano Exam Anxiety Levels and Their Opinions on Causes of Anxiety

Abstract

This study aimed at analysing the correlation between the anxiety level of music teacher candidates during piano exams and possible causes of anxiety and their exam performance. The teacher candidates in the study group were given a questionnaire for piano exam anxiety. Anxiety levels of students and their opinions on causes of anxiety were determined with the data collected through the questionnaire that identified personal anxiety levels in piano exams and the causes of anxiety. The exam scores of students in the piano class who were given the questionnaire were determined and associated with their anxiety levels for comparison. Various statistical processes (mean, t test, Anova etc.) were used to find out anxiety levels and to make comparison. The study concluded that the students had high anxiety levels in general, and a significant part of students with high anxiety level had relatively lower performance in piano class.