ABSTRACT
The second main finding of this research is that the psychological and physical enjoyment and enrichment – as well as the social pride of ‘mastering’ a musical instrument and repertoire – is not only an important motivation for the youth to become musicians, but that this experience may also have positive social spillover effects, as it can encourage them to also ‘take the wheel’, i.e. take control, in other domains of their lives. This finding can be summarized in one word – ‘mastery’. The author wanted to come to a better understanding of the hard work which allows young people to start to be active as musicians, and how this possibly also encourages them to deal with other aspects of their lives. The young musicians in the research presented in this book relate to this aspect of their learning and music-making. They are asked not only about their current level of knowledge and mastery but also what they thought they still needed to learn and master.
