The reflections of pre-service music teachers' creative thinking skills on their instrumental improvisation ability: A case study of Dokuz Eylul University

Creativity, which is as old as the history of humanity, found oneself and continues to find in many individuals from the first people who create instruments to find solutions for the facing problems, to the scientists' inventions, from the artist who has well-known work, to the games of a small child. In many studies, creativity is examined with various aspects and also discussed that the relationship between different disciplines. In this study, creativity is examined in the improvisation skills of the pre-service music teachers and depicted the relationship between the creative thinking levels and improvisational skill levels. In this research, "relational scanning model" from the quantitative research methods and "interview" from the qualitative research methods were used. The research group was consist of Dokuz Eylul University Buca Education Faculty Department of Music Education 4th grade students (n=31) in the academic year 2015-2016. Data were collected with Creative Thinking with Sounds and Words "Sounds and Images IIA" form developed by Torrance and Cunnington, adapted in Turkish by Kaya and Bilen, "Test of Creative Thinking: Verbal A" form developed by Torrance, adapted in Turkish by Superior Intelligence Training Center (Üstün Zekâlılar Eğitim Merkezi), "Improvisation Skills with Piano Observation Form and Scoring Guide", "Assessment of Creativity Supporting Learning Environment Scale for Major Instrument Courses" and "Semi-Structured Interview Form for Improvisation" developed by Kaya and Bilen. As a result of the research, the pre-service music teachers' creative thinking levels were found to be below mid-level in "Creative Thinking with Sounds and Words: Sounds and Images IIA" and "Test of Creative Thinking: Verbal Form". Improvisational skill levels were found to be low in "Improvisation Skills with Piano Observation Form". Statistical correlation between "the Improvisation Skills with Piano Observation Form" and "the Creative Thinking with Sounds and Words: Sounds and Images IIA" scores averages of the students was determined in positive direction, low level and statistically insignificant [p>.01]. Statistical correlation between the "the Improvisation Skills with Piano Observation Form" and "the Test of Creative Thinking: Verbal Form" scores averages of the students was determined in positive direction, low level and statistically insignificant [p>.01].