Journals / Çevrimiçi Müzik Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 11 Sayı: 3

The relationship between music theory instruction and performance anxiety in vocal training

Şan eğitiminde müzik teorisi öğretiminin performans anksiyetesi ile ilişkisi

Alper Şakalar(Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Fine Arts Faculty, Department of Music, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye.)0000-0002-0137-9089
Leyla Bekensir(Ankara University, State Conservatory, Department of Music, Ankara, Türkiye.)0000-0003-0840-6665
Pages
1063–1076
Publication Date
2026-07-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this context, it is recommended that theoretical courses in music pedagogy be structured in a more integrated manner with the vocal curriculum and presented as a strategy for stage resilience.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Musical performance is strictly dependent on the performer’s level of cognitive and psychological readiness, as well as their technical skill.
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Key Findings & Data:In vocal training, the fact that the instrument is the performer’s body itself makes the effects of music performance anxiety (MPA) more visible from somatic and technical perspectives.
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Conclusion & Impact:In this context, it is recommended that theoretical courses in music pedagogy be structured in a more integrated manner with the vocal curriculum and presented as a strategy for stage resilience.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:şan eğitimi · müzik teorisi · performans kaygısı

Abstract

Musical performance is strictly dependent on the performer’s level of cognitive and psychological readiness, as well as their technical skill. In vocal training, the fact that the instrument is the performer’s body itself makes the effects of music performance anxiety (MPA) more visible from somatic and technical perspectives. The aim of this research is to examine in depth the relationship between vocal students’ music theory knowledge and the vocal performance anxiety they exhibit, through the subjective experiences of the performers. The study was conducted using the phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consists of 24 vocal students studying at the undergraduate level in state conservatories in Turkey, determined by the criterion sampling method. Data were collected through a 10-question semi-structured interview form and analyzed using the content analysis technique. The findings obtained from the research were gathered under four main themes: restorative safety provided by cognitive mastery, the mathematical ground of technical competence within the ensemble, social anxiety created by the perception of inadequacy, and the process of transition from imitation (mimesis) to autonomy. Participants defined music theory and analysis skills as a “cognitive map” that eliminates uncertainty on stage and a “safety belt” that engages during moments of error. As a result of the research, it was determined that as theoretical background increases, the student moves away from imitating the instructor’s voice and transforms into an autonomous interpreter who has mastered the architectural structure of the work; this transformation serves as a critical psychological lever in managing performance anxiety. In this context, it is recommended that theoretical courses in music pedagogy be structured in a more integrated manner with the vocal curriculum and presented as a strategy for stage resilience.

Özet

Müzikal performans, icracının teknik becerisinin yanı sıra bilişsel ve psikolojik hazırlık düzeyine de önemli ölçüde bağlıdır. Şan eğitiminde çalgının doğrudan icracının kendi bedeni olması, müzik performans kaygısının (MPK) etkilerini somatik ve teknik açılardan daha görünür hâle getirmektedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, şan öğrencilerinin müzik teorisi bilgileri ile sergiledikleri vokal performans kaygısı arasındaki ilişkiyi, icracıların öznel deneyimleri üzerinden incelemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenoloji deseni kullanılarak yürütülmüştür. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, ölçüt örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen, Türkiye’deki devlet konservatuvarlarında lisans düzeyinde öğrenim gören 24 şan öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, 10 sorudan oluşan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla toplanmış ve içerik analizi tekniği kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular dört ana tema altında toplanmıştır: bilişsel hâkimiyetin sağladığı onarıcı güvenlik, topluluk içerisindeki teknik yeterliliğin matematiksel temeli, yetersizlik algısının oluşturduğu sosyal kaygı ve taklitten (mimesis) özerkliğe geçiş süreci. Katılımcılar, müzik teorisi ve analiz becerilerini sahnedeki belirsizliği ortadan kaldıran bir “bilişsel harita” ve hata anlarında devreye giren bir “emniyet kemeri” olarak tanımlamışlardır. Araştırma sonucunda, kuramsal altyapı arttıkça öğrencinin eğitmenin sesini taklit etmekten uzaklaşarak eserin mimari yapısına hâkim, özerk bir yorumcuya dönüştüğü; bu dönüşümün performans kaygısının yönetiminde kritik bir psikolojik kaldıraç işlevi gördüğü belirlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda, müzik pedagojisindeki kuramsal derslerin şan müfredatıyla daha bütünleşik bir biçimde yapılandırılması ve sahne dayanıklılığını geliştirmeye yönelik bir strateji olarak sunulması önerilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Şakalar, A., Bekensir, L. (2026). The relationship between music theory instruction and performance anxiety in vocal training. Çevrimiçi Müzik Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 3, 1063–1076. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1931029

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