Acquiring the Art of Conducting: Deliberate Practice as Part of Professional Learning



: Schmidt Simon, Längler Manuel, Altenbuchner Amelie, Kobl Louisa, Gruber Hans

Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

: 2021

: Journal of Advanced Academics

: JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ACADEMICS

: J ADV ACAD

: ARTN 1932202X21995931

: 32

: 3

: 354

: 379

: 26

: 1932-202X

: 2162-9536

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1932202X21995931(external)

: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1932202X21995931(external)

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/53630232(external)


Research was and still is involved in the controversial issue about innate talent or extensive practice as the determinants of excellent performance in a range of domains. This study aims to contribute by presenting an analysis of practice activities in a domain that appears to be particularly suitable-orchestral conducting. Most conductors usually attain expertise in instrument playing prior to commencing conducting studies. Twenty-seven students of German study programs of orchestral conducting (approximately 18.7% of the population) responded to a questionnaire about their practice activities in conducting programs and their instrumental experiences. Descriptive results show the wealth of prestudy experiences conducting students have. A clear influence on practice activities cannot be stated. During study, students rated conducting-specific practice activities as more demanding and devoted more time to them than to general music practice activities. Therefore, conducting-specific practice activities might have been practiced more deliberately than general music practice activities.

Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:56