Tutoring Toolbox

Foundations
Motivation

What moves you? As musicians our task is to move our audiences, but how do we
motivate ourselves?
The most well accepted theory concerning motivation is the Self-determination
theory (Deci & Ryan). The SDT states that the three basic human needs are
autonomy, competence and relatedness. Musicians need to feel that they have
control over their own learning process, that they have skills and believe that they
can continue to improve and to feel a connection – to their music, and to others
and have a sense of belonging.
Motivation can be extrinsic (from the outside – e.g. pleasing a teacher or fulfilling
external requirements or for reward or to avoid punishment) as well as intrinsic
(you are doing it because it has meaning and importance for you). More important
than whether motivation is intrinsic or extrinsic, is that you are choosing and
deciding whether something is worthwhile for you.

Motivation tools & strategies

Understand motivation
Find videos, books, scientific articles

Collect what motivates you

Use your journal to note what motives
and what de-motivates you

Movement
Walking, running, swimming, dancing – stimulates both the body and
enhances connectivity in the brain

Autonomy, Competency, Relatedness

How can you stimulate each of these every week?