The present study explores the relationship between music self-efficacy, help-seeking orientation, selfesteem, and the preferences of online music tutorials use among amateur musicians. We hypothesized that autonomy help-seeking orientation, high self-esteem, and the use of autonomy online music tutorials (which foster independent learners, incorporate context, and background) would be positively correlated with music self-efficacy, whereas dependent help-seeking orientation and preferring dependent online music tutorials would be negatively correlated with music self-efficacy. Participants were 316 amateur musicians from 26 countries, who use online music tutorials while learning to play new pieces. They answered questionnaires measuring different learning and playing habits (coplaying experience, studying music with a teacher, years of playing, hours spent playing per week). Ordinary least squares regression indicated that the independent variables accounted for 48% of the variance in the dependent variable, and that the model was significant. Furthermore, the theoretical independent variables accounted for 34% of the variance in the dependent variable, above and beyond the variance explained by the background independent variables. The results indicated that self-esteem, autonomy help-seeking orientation, preferences of autonomy online music tutorials, and weekly hours of playing were positive predictors of music self-efficacy. Conversely, dependent help-seeking orientation was a negative predictor of music self-efficacy. The uniqueness of the study lies in using personal characteristics and learning habits as MSE predictors among amateur musicians. The findings highlight the need to examine any possible causality in the relationship between learning and playing habits of amateur musicians and their music self-efficacy.

Music self-efficacy has been acknowledged as a strong predictor of successful performance among musicians and music students, but is less researched among amateur musicians. The purpose of this study is to examine the connection between music self-efficacy and learning and playing habits of amateur musicians who had preferences for online music tutorials as an informal learning technique. Two hundred and twenty-two amateur musicians completed four research questionnaires: (a) a general background questionnaire including learning and playing habits, (b) music self-efficacy, (c) self-esteem, and (d) online music tutorials users’ preferences, which distinguish between autonomy online music tutorials (fostering independent learners, incorporating context, and background) and dependent online music tutorials (offering mainly imitation options and providing little further knowledge). The results of the study supported the hypotheses, which predicted high music self-efficacy to be associated with the use of autonomy online music tutorials, co-playing, studying with a teacher, and self-esteem, and low music self-efficacy to be associated with the use of dependent online music tutorials. As music self-efficacy is crucial for students’ learning processes, we argue that music educators could refer students to optimal use of online music tutorials, thus fostering autonomous learners. Further research is required for clarifying the impact of personal characteristics and playing habits among amateur musicians on their music self-efficacy.

The present study explores the relationship between music self-efficacy (MSE) and self-esteem, grit, and learning and playing habits of amateur musicians who use online music tutorials (OMTs) while learning to play new pieces. Amateur musicians ( N = 409) from 30 countries answered research questionnaires, including preferences of autonomy OMTs (foster independent learners and incorporate knowledge) versus dependent OMTs (based mainly on imitation and provide little further knowledge). Ordinary least squares regression indicated that the independent variables accounted for 50% of the variance in the dependent variable (MSE) and that the model was significant. The results indicated that self-esteem, grit, preferences of autonomy OMTs, playing with others and weekly hours of playing were positive predictors of MSE. In addition, dependent OMTs were negatively correlated with MSE. The findings highlight the need to examine any possible causality in the relationship between learning and playing habits, and MSE of amateur musicians. In addition, data were collected in the midst of the Covid-19 worldwide impact and should be further explored post-Covid-19.

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The connection between grit and achievement in a variety of areas is well documented. Nevertheless, the factors that affect domain‐specific academic grit and the relationship of these factors to academic achievement still require clarification. The present study aimed to explore the contribution of three main categories of variables: subjective well‐being (SWB), coping resources (e.g., self‐efficacy and help‐seeking orientation (HSO)), and self‐cultivation characteristics (e.g., savouring art and personal growth) to academic grit and academic achievement as well as the significance of academic grit as a predictor and mediator for academic achievement. The sample comprised a total of 351 university students between the ages of 18 and 58 from Anglophonic countries (US, Canada, and UK), and Israel. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), academic grit was found to be directly associated with academic achievement among university students while SWB, coping resources, and self‐cultivation characteristics were only indirectly associated with academic achievement with the mediation of academic grit. These results have important educational implications since they reveal existing effects which should serve as a basis for the implementation of university programmes. The results indicate the importance of student well‐being, coping resources, and self‐cultivating characteristics, especially regarding personal growth to perform optimally at university studies.