The Late Bloomers Piano Club :

Abstract

Existing motivation theory, transitional theory, ego identity and small group theory were found to explain motivation to start piano study, but did not address the issue of persistence of piano study. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs most adequately explained the human condition that motivated all the members of the LBPC.

The investigator utilized qualitative/naturalistic research techniques for collection and analysis of data. Data were collected through: (1) Structured, semi-structured and non-structured interviews with the LBPC members; (2) Perusal of pertinent documents, such as newspaper articles, club notices, diaries, music manuscript, and letters; (3) Direct observation of the LBPC.

To gain insight into the existence of the LBPC, members were asked questions that provided data about: what motivated them to attend the organization and what they had to overcome to continue attending, the role of socialization in the club's existence, the importance of piano in the members' lives, what motivated the members to play the piano, and what kept them from quitting the organization.

The following areas of further investigation were recommended: a follow-up study of the LBPC and its members to discover if the same conclusions found in this study could be drawn, further studies focusing on attritional theory as it relates to dropping out of piano study, a follow-up study focusing on subjects who dropped out of the LBPC an assessment of the influence of piano teachers on adult piano students in terms of motivation and continued commitment to piano study, the application of the conclusions of this study as a guide for developing a program similar to the LBPC, and research that uses the themes and interpretations of this study to determine if they are quantifiable beyond the given study.

The motivation to study piano was traced to five phenomena: (1) childhood events, (2) purchasing a piano, (3) life changing events, (4) hobby replacement, and (5) joining the LBPC.

Five factors were found to have an effect on the commitment level of the participants: (1) previous piano study, (2) the desire to recapture youth, (3) the level of self-confidence, (4) extrinsic factors, and (5) intrinsic factors.

The Late Bloomers Piano Club (hereafter called LBPC) is a piano performance group that meets bimonthly on the first Sunday of that month in the outskirts of Toledo, Ohio. Its membership consists of twenty adults between the ages of thirty-five and eighty-five. The purpose of this study was to examine the LBPC and its members to discover: why the club exists, what changes and strategies have occurred in the development of the organization, and how interrelationships have changed and developed between the club members and founder.

After examination of the LBPC and its participants, three categories of study emerged--motivation for piano study, factors influencing the commitment to continue piano study, and the LBPC as an organization in transition.