Musical Genre Preferences among School Students: The Role of the Family Background and Musical Instruments Learning

Abstract

The study presents the results of research that examines the popularity of videos representing four different musical styles among students aged 9–19 ( N = 1159). The measuring instrument was a self-developed online questionnaire that explores students’ musical genre opinions based on four types of music videos: street music, rock music, classical music, and folk music. In relation to the musical pieces, we inquired about background aspects, with a specific focus on engagement in instrument presentations and the viewing of music programs. We analyze the data considering the context of learning a musical instrument and attitudes toward instrument training and family background. Findings show that the perception of genres varies significantly between students who play instruments and those who do not, as well as based on their family background. Among the seven groups of students, encompassing both instrument learners and non-learners, a distinct pattern emerges those who neither learn nor have a desire to learn an instrument exhibit notably lower fondness for musical compositions. Furthermore, significant differences are apparent among the students based on the educational level of their parents. The implication of this study lies in its revelation of how instrument training and parental education significantly shape students’ musical opinions, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to enhance music education experiences and enrich young individuals’ musical tastes.