This study examined the relationship between the motivation levels of candidate music teachers towards instrument lessons and their preferences for career education. The research universe comprises music teacher candidates studying at Music Education Sections Departments of Fine Arts in Education Faculties and the study sample comprises first, second, third and fourth grade students studying at Music Education Sections Departments of Fine Arts in Education Faculties of Marmara University, Gazi University, Dokuz Eylül University and Abant Đzzet Baysal University.

A “Personal Data Questionnaire” and “Motivation Scale for Individual Instrument Lesson” were applied as measurement instruments.

This study investigated students’ motivational differences according to four sub-dimensions (interest, educational atmosphere, environment, professional expectation) of the Motivation Scale between

• Choosing musical teacher training willingly
• Planning to follow a different profession (except for Music teacher) after graduation.

The results showed that the motivation levels of the students towards instrument lessons differed significantly in accordance with the ‘career aspirations’ variable. Participants who willingly pursued a career as a music teacher scored higher in the motivation scale sub-dimension of ‘interest’.