Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine performance development processes of professional cellists in Turkish Music, to identify musical behaviors and knowledge required by the profession, and to contribute to professional music education. In this research, phenomenological methodology was utilized. The study group was selected through a combination of snowball sampling (chain sampling) and maximum variation sampling methods, which are purposeful sampling strategies (n:15). The research data were obtained by semi structured interview method. The interview questions were prepared by the researcher and they consist of 6 open-ended questions. The data were subject to content analysis via the computer software NVivo 12. The study revealed that all the participants carried out their studies on Western Music by means of methods and studies on Turkish Music by listening, imitating, performing, practicing taksims and transposition. Moreover, the participants reported that they are motivated by a number of factors, such as their love for cello, quality of the instrument, accompanying, etc. to play their instrument. The cellists whom the participants most commonly listen to are Tanbûri Cemil Bey, Mesut Cemil Bey, İsmail Akdeniz and Ozer Arkun.

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