Investigation of piano teachers' perceptions on the use of transcription in piano at Van Fine Arts High School

In this study, it is aimed to determine the views of piano teachers working in high school of fine arts about the importance of sight reading in piano education. The universe of the research consists of piano teachers working in Van Province in 2018-2019 academic year, and five (5) piano teachers working in Van Tusba Fine Arts High School comprise its sample. In this study, the purposive sampling method was used. The research was planned based on the "case study" model, one of the qualitative research methods that provide an in-depth analysis of an existing situation. Research data was collected via "semi-structured interview form" consisting of nine questions in order to determine the teachers' views on the sight reading in piano education and the methods they used during the practice of piano education. This form was developed by the researcher. In order to collect data, necessary permissions were obtained from the Ministry of National Education and face-to-face interviews were conducted with teachers at Fine Arts High School. A voice recorder was used during the interview and each interview lasted approximately 10-15 minutes. The responses to the semi-structured interview form, which is the data source of the research, were analysed through content and descriptive analysis techniques. While analysing the data, the transcript of the opinions of the teachers on the voice recorder was transferred to the computer. During this time, each teacher was given a code and the codes were created by the researcher and were gathered around certain themes. A second researcher then read independently these views and re-examined the suitability of codes and themes formed by the first researcher. The consistency percentages between the two researchers' coding was calculated according to the formula proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994). According to this formula, the consistency percentage between the two researchers' coding was calculated as 94%. In addition, direct quotations were made from the teachers' views in order to convey the views of the teachers participating in the study as much as possible. As a result of the data analysis, teachers' thoughts were brought together under the themes of "Deciphering "," Practice "," Affective characteristics "," Student "," Piano "," Physical conditions "," Method "and "sight reading practice". Based on the findings of the research, it can be concluded that sight reading program is necessary, important and useful in piano education, and this technique increases the student's piano skills. It can be also highlighted that the students develop a positive attitude towards the piano thanks to this technique, while the teachers benefit from different sources. On the other hand, It was concluded that piano lesson hours and the number of piano study rooms weren't enough and there was a lack in the numbers of pianos.