Abstract

The purpose of this project was to develop methods of motivating middle school band students to
practice their instruments on a regular basis. This project took place over five weeks while the
students were preparing solos for an adjudicated performance. To begin, all seventh and eighth
grade band students were put into one of three groups: Group One (control group), Group Two
(practice journal group), and Group Three (goal journal group). Groups Two and Three were
given incentives to either turn in a completed practice journal or for goals met at each band
lesson. All students also had the option of participating in the Practice Days Challenge.
Students who participated in the Practice Days Challenge kept track of how many times they
practiced their solo. The winning students were given a prize at the completion of the Challenge.
The students were given a survey at the end of the study and the results were analyzed to
determine if different motivational techniques were useful in encouraging students to practice.