Intellectual character in the learning of musical interpretation as an enhancement of 21st-century skills

This study aims to describe students’ intellectual character in the learning of musical interpretation as an improvement of skills for the 21st century. A qualitative research method was adopted according to the phenomenology involved, and the research subjects were 15 students who took the course of Guitar 4 major instrument practice. The students were observed while playing the guitar, interviewed, and documentation was studied. The findings indicate that intellectual character makes a significant contribution to the learning of musical interpretation. Most students had not used structured thinking skills, which relates to a lack of critical thinking and open-mindedness, and lack of curiosity towards the knowledge behind the work of music being played. As an improvement to their creative and critical thinking skills, these thinking skills of open-mindedness, curiosity, and metacognition need to be developed and built into the learning of musical interpretation.