The effect of a practice checklist on performance achievement, practice time, focal practice areas, and practice strategies of collegiate non-music majors enrolled in a beginning “Danso,” Korean traditional wind instrument class

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a practice checklist on performance achievement, practice time, focal practice areas—the key musical elements students focused on during practice—and practice strategies among non-music major South Korean college students learning the Danso, a traditional Korean wind instrument. Ninety-six students participated, with 46 in the experimental group using a practice checklist and 50 in the control group without the checklist. All participants attended a 50-min weekly class for 7 weeks. At the end of the 7-week period, both groups were surveyed to measure their average weekly practice time and focal practice areas. Performance achievement was assessed through a test focusing on key musical elements, and practice strategies were evaluated using a modified version of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). The results revealed that using a practice checklist significantly improved performance in specific areas such as rhythm, tempo, and breathing but did not increase overall practice time. The checklist also helped students maintain a balanced focus on key musical elements, preventing an overemphasis on sound production. However, the checklist did not significantly promote the use of metacognitive strategies, indicating a need for additional instructional support.