An Exploratory Study of Time Use in the Practice of Music Majors: Self-Report and Observation Analysis

The purpose of this study is to obtain survey and observation data concerning music education majors' practice room behavior. A survey provided opportunity for participants ( n = 38) to articulate techniques they used in practice. An observation component (n = 9) provided a view of the use of these techniques in actual practice. All participants articulated common practice techniques but a minority of those in observation analysis consistently used these techniques in optimal ways, thus demonstrating a gap between “knowing” and “intelligent doing.” Overwhelmingly, participants identified better self-discipline as the one thing that would improve practice efficiency. Suggestions for resolving this problem are provided.