Analysis of the resources used in the preparation process for music department talent exams in private courses

Abstract

This study examines the resources used in the preparation process for music department talent exams in private music courses in Turkey and the effects of these resources on the educational processes. The research was conducted with 142 private music centers across 37 cities and 167 instructors working in these centers. The data collection tool used was the Music Education Resource Usage Opinions Scale (MERUOS), with a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.87, indicating a high level of reliability for the scale. The study analyzed the diversity of materials used in musical ear training, sight-reading, and writing, and their content adequacy. The findings show that basic music theory books, solfège methods, and digital platforms are widely used. An increase in the use of digital resources was observed; however, a lack of materials for advanced-level students was noted. Instructors pointed out the need to update materials and make them suitable for different levels. Moreover, it was found that mobile applications and social media platforms support students' individual learning processes. The reliability analysis of the data collection tool used in the study revealed strong internal consistency among the scale items. The highest Cronbach Alpha coefficient was 0.89 for the "Musical Ear" section, and the lowest value was 0.78 for the "Digital Resource Usage" section. The resources used by instructors, the course durations, and the criteria they consider when selecting materials were examined in detail. The results emphasize the importance of diversifying educational materials, making better use of digital resources, and developing resources suitable for each level. This study aims to contribute to material development and policy-making processes in music education.