This study explored how professional conductors understand the role of individual (purposeful) practice and how they describe the contents of such practice. Twelve professional conductors were interviewed and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The results show that the participants understood conducting as a lifelong learning process. Through intensive individual practice, they had built up a significant repertoire of musical works. Being well prepared allowed them to impart knowledge, which helped them to achieve an authoritative and communicative relationship with musicians. While technical aspects such as baton technique had been important during early career stages, these were mostly no longer practiced. Studying the score was perceived as the most central practice activity aiming at performance improvement. It required disciplined, persistent, and goal-oriented learning, and thus carried the marks of purposeful practice. Individual activities during score study were mainly carried out mentally and in particular situations supported with external tools (e.g., piano, audio recordings). The findings shed light on differences in opinion and implicit tensions, especially regarding memorization and the use of tools.

中文翻译：

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指挥对个人练习活动的看法


本研究探讨了专业指挥如何理解个人（有目的的）实践的作用，以及他们如何描述这种实践的内容。采访了 12 名专业指挥家，并使用内容分析来分析数据。结果表明，参与者将指挥理解为一个终身学习的过程。通过密集的个人练习，他们积累了大量的音乐作品。充分的准备使他们能够传授知识，这有助于他们与音乐家建立权威和交流的关系。虽然棒技术等技术方面在职业生涯的早期阶段很重要，但这些方面大多不再练习。研究分数被认为是旨在提高绩效的最核心练习活动。它需要有纪律、坚持不懈和以目标为导向的学习，因此带有有目的的实践的标志。分数研究期间的个体活动主要是在脑力上进行的，特别是在外部工具（例如钢琴、录音）支持的情况下进行。研究结果揭示了意见分歧和隐含的紧张关系，尤其是在记忆和工具使用方面。