Numerous neurological, psychological, and transfer studies confirmed the role of learning music in cognitive development and education. However, exploring the long-term impacts of early musical abilities on academic achievement has gained relatively little attention thus far. In a seven-year longitudinal study, we examined the predictive role of musical abilities in future success in school. The sample consisted of 76 Hungarian students. The independent variables were mothers’ education and the tests administered to Grade-1 students, which included Raven’s Progressive Matrices and tests on word reading, mathematics, and musical abilities. The dependent variable was GPA in Grade 7. All tests demonstrated adequate reliability. In the regression model with the most significant predictive role, the independent variables explained 46% of GPA in Grade 7 when taken together. We established the long-term predictive role of musical abilities in later success in school. Rhythm perception and reproduction demonstrated the most significant explanatory power (11%) of variance for GPA. Mathematics and mothers’ education each explained 10% of the variance. The findings shed light on the positive impacts that early musical training may play in later academic achievement, even in the long run.

A wide range of evidence has demonstrated the impact of music learning on phonological awareness and the development of reading. Music reading, its relationship with linguistic abilities and reading skills are all highly researched areas. However, limited information is available regarding the relationship between early text reading and early music reading. This study examined the relationship between word reading and music reading, musical aptitude and phonological awareness. The sample consisted of 119 Hungarian grade 1 elementary school students, who were at the beginning of both their text-reading and music-reading studies. They had commenced their studies just nine months before the point of assessment. Phonological awareness, musical aptitude and music reading were the independent variables in the linear-regression model, whilst word reading was the dependent variable. Together, the independent variables explained 50% of the level of development of word reading. The findings suggest a link between early word reading and early music reading. Moreover, further research as well as transfer research may benefit from looking at the possible effects of acquiring and practicing symbol reading, a process most frequently accompanying music learning, on the development of text reading.

Musical education hinges on students’ mastery motivation and self-concept, which are crucial for effective musical learning. Despite the acknowledgement of their individual importance, the relationship between these factors within music education remains unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the dynamics of mastery motivation (MM) and its relationship with self-concept (SC) in the context of music education. A survey was administered to 139 Hungarian grade 7 students, employing a musical MM questionnaire, a musical SC inquiry, and the collection of demographic information collection. We employed descriptive statistics (IBM SPSS 23), a Rasch analysis (WINSTEPS), and correlational and regression analyses (R programming and SmartPLS4) for data analysis. The findings demonstrated that the utilized instruments were reliable and valid in measuring students’ MM and SC in music education. This study revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.778) between students’ MM and SC, with moderate to strong inter-relationships among various subfactors. Furthermore, comparisons unveiled significant disparities in musical MM across school levels, with higher MM and SC observed among female students. Furthermore, gender, a musical family background, and awareness of musical lesson usefulness were predictive factors for both students’ MM and SC within music education. This study provides valuable insights for professionals and policy makers to enhance music education, nurturing students’ musical growth effectively. By understanding the relationship between MM and SC and considering predictive factors, stakeholders can develop strategies that optimize the impact of music education on students’ musical development.

A tanulmány az ének-zene tantárgyi attitűd és az iskolai zenetanulás iránti motiváció összefüggéseit vizsgálja 244 hetedik osztályos tanuló bevonásával. Elemeztük, hogy milyen szerepet játszik az ének-zene tantárgyi attitűd alakulásában – a motiváció mellett – az iskolai tanuláshoz kapcsolódó általános attitűd, a tanulmányi átlag, az ének-zene osztályzat. Megvizsgáltuk, hogy milyen szerepe van a tanulók vélekedésének az ének-zene órák saját zenei fejlődésükben betöltött szerepéről, illetve annak, hogy hol helyezik el az ének-zene órákat az iskolai tantárgyak fontossági sorrendjében. Kutatásunk megerősítette azokat a korábbi eredményeket, amelyek szerint az ének-zene nem tartozik a kedvelt tantárgyak közé. Tizenkét tantárgy közül a tanulók az ének-zenét tartották a legkevésbé hasznosnak. Eredményeink igazolták, hogy a zenei elsajátítási motívumok és a közös zenei tevékenységek fontos szerepet töltenek be az ének-zene tantárgyi attitűd alakulásában. Az ének-zene oktatás módszertani megújulásában fontos szerepet kell kapjanak azok a módszerek, amelyek élményszerűen átélt közös zenei tevékenységeken alapulnak, segítik a zenei képességek, elsősorban az éneklés fejlődését, és az elsajátítási motívumok működése szempontjából az optimális kihívást jelentő zenetanulást támogatják.

This study aimed to investigate differences in mastery motivation (MM), mastery pleasure (MP), and self-concept (SC) in singing based on class type (specialized non-specialized music classes) and gender across four grades: 1, 3, 5, and 7. It also explored the relationships between students’ demographic variables and the fundamental motivational factors in music education such as MM, MP, and SC. A survey questionnaire was administered to 586 elementary students in grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 in Hungary. The findings showed that the students from specialized music classes had higher MM, MP, and SC compared to those from non-specialized classes. Female students demonstrated higher MM, MP, and SC in signing across all grades, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Moreover, a negative correlation between grade and these factors showed that the younger students had higher MM, MP, and SC in singing than the older students. Demographic factors such as gender, grade, and class type, except for parental education, significantly influenced students’ development in MM, MP, and SC in singing. This study highlights the importance of specialized music education and early engagement in developing MM, MP, and SC in singing, suggesting that appropriate approaches based on age and gender could enhance students’ musical development.