Solfege Teaching in Higher Music Education in Turkey: Instructors’ Perspectives

There is a limited number of studies on solfege teaching in Turkey. The results of these previous

studies show that students' music literacy skills are not sufficient in higher music education. The

purpose of the present study was to explore the professional knowledge, practices and opinions of

solfege instructors in Turkey. A questionnaire form designed for this study was sent via e-mail to all

relevant instructors serving in Turkish universities. Frequency and cross-tabulation analyses were

applied on the data obtained from the forms. Findings showed that, student level and student

motivation are indicated as factors that decrease the level of success the most. On the other hand, it

is figured out that most of the instructors do not plan their own teaching and do not try to use

different solfege systems and teaching methods. The majority of them neither search for different

method books, technological tools and materials nor try to develop their own method books and

materials for a more effective teaching. The results are discussed in the context of the relevant

literature and it is concluded that the instructors have a lack of professional knowledge.