Ethical Aspects of Teaching Young Instrumental Musicians

Joca Zurc

Summary:  Music education is one of the most widespread leisure time activity of children and youth that contributes to development of numerus positive personal characteristics. On the other side, playing of musical instrument has very well developed a competition system, which leads to the serious music education in the early years of life. The purpose of our study was to explore the ways of achieving top results in the instrumental music from the view of child’s safety, consequences on their health, and possible risk occurrences. Qualitative phenomenological study was carried out with the semi-structure interviews on the sample of 42 Slovene and international top classical musicians, players on piano, accordion, violin and flute. Qualitative content analysis showed that the process of creating top achievement in instrumental music consists of the four central phases: 1) entry into classical music, 2) music education and practising, 3) participation at competitions and musical performances, and 4) conclusion of music education. The injuries, back pains and sacrifices are the most presented consequences of intensive playing on musical instrument. Study findings are raising the questions of music education, which pedagogical approaches should be used to the best development of child’s musical predispositions with respect of their developmental needs and fundamental human rights and liberties.