@article{article_1749663, title={The role of creative thinking in the professional development of a performing musician}, journal={Online Journal of Music Sciences}, volume={10}, pages={1045–1059}, year={2025}, DOI={10.31811/ojomus.1749663}, author={Dushniy, Andriy and Salii, Volodymyr and Storonska, Nataliia and Shafeta, Valeriy and Molchko, Ulyana}, keywords={yaratıcı düşünme, müzik eğitimi, mesleki gelişim, müzisyen, doğaçlama, yaratıcı süreç, müzik pedagojisi}, abstract={The education of musicians is a crucial component in shaping their future creative paths. The aim of this article is to analyse how creative abilities and thinking influence the professional development of musicians performing at different stages of their education, by focusing on the subjective perceptions of students and teachers in higher education institutions. The study was conducted within the framework of a qualitative research approach. The cross-sectional design was also employed. The study utilized semi-structured interviews and discussions in separate focus groups (a total of 39 students and 8 teachers), allowing the inclusion of participants with relevant experience. The sample was formed purposefully, interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire developed on the basis of thematic blocks. Data processing was carried out using thematic analysis. The results indicate that, in addition to the development of creativity, there is also an improvement in the ability to interpret original musical material, engage in improvisation, and reconsider existing traditions in performance. Elements such as the artist’s vision, emotional expressiveness, freedom of interpretation, and self-expression are influential. Many participants view creative thinking as a source of motivation for creativity, and the ability to think creatively is considered not only essential for performance interpretation but also as a crucial component in general. The necessary skills through the introduction of a partnership-based teaching style that focuses on supporting the individual performance style. This study offers a novel perspective on the role of creative thinking in the professional development of performing musicians by emphasizing the subjective experiences. The findings emphasize that the development of a performer’s personality is possible through the borrowing of experiences. Promising directions for further research are to determine the role of creative thinking in optimizing the teaching process in the field of artistic disciplines based on the collection of empirical data.}, number={4}, publisher={Nilgün SAZAK}