Individual Practice and Development

Understanding the Basics

Revising Basic Theory is essential. For example, knowing the Circle of Fifths or how chords are formed can inform your understanding of various musical styles.
Developing a strong understanding of the key technical aspects your instrument is crucial.
Mastery of scales and arpeggios will provide a foundation for improving your playing ability and comprehension of musical pieces.

Development of Techniques

Regular, focused practice sessions are necessary for technical development, possibly with the aid of a metronome for maintaining consistent tempo.
Warm-up exercises can help prepare you for more complex playing, reducing the risk of injury.
Deliberate practice of specific techniques you find challenging can lead to improvement.
Dexterity exercises can improve coordination and flexibility, enhancing your playing skills.

Personal Style and Expression

Working on the development of personal style can help distinguish you as a musician.
Knowledge of musical phrasing and expression can enhance the emotional impact of your performance.
Improving your ability to play by ear can significantly aid your improvisation skills.

Repertoire Development

Building a broad repertoire will increase your versatility as a performer. This can involve learning pieces in various styles and from different musical periods.
Analytical listening to other performers’ interpretations of pieces in your repertoire can provide inspiration and new insights.
If you encounter challenging sections in your repertoire pieces, it’s beneficial to isolate these and practice them separately.

Feedback and Review

Regularly seeking professional feedback through sharing your performance with your teacher or a mentor can be invaluable.
Recording your practice sessions for self-review; listening to these recordings critically can help identify areas for improvement.
Setting short-term and long-term goals assists in charting your progress and gives you a clear direction for your development.

These aspects of individual practice and development will play a vital role in preparing for the Music Performance Session Styles part of your qualification. Regularity, dedication, and a methodical approach will bear fruit in the form of improved technical ability, distinct personal style, and an empathetic understanding of your chosen pieces.