ABSTRACT

There was no distinct correlation of attitude towards music as a vocation and income from it yet, clearly, the professionals spent far more time on musical activity. Not surprisingly perhaps, and in ways no doubt shared with sighted colleagues, some of the older, retired musicians, whether professional or amateur, were intrinsically motivated rather than pursuing extrinsic goals, with a few commenting that they no longer had any aspirations. Aspirations expressed by the overall cohort in our study, from visually impaired professionals to amateurs, fitted into themes of the diversification of interests, meeting objectives like examinations, honing skills, becoming a professional or, for those undertaking some paid work in music, becoming full-time and securing one's future. The musicians in this study unsurprisingly sought to diversify their musical participation, such as branching out into additional musical styles, acquiring qualifications in the form of grades or diplomas, becoming professional or securing a future though music.