ABSTRACT
This chapter examines problem solving in instrumental music practice and is based on the notion that too many students, too much of the time, look and feel inadequate when they attempt to problem solve. Teaching problem-solving skills involves an initial heavy investment of lesson or rehearsal time-perhaps as much as half of the total time in the early stages. Strategies should include advising, urging, and demonstrating, but the focus should be on student decision-making in practice with students demonstrating the practice techniques. Testing problem solving in practice encourages students to view both problem solving and the process of problem solving as priorities. A program of assessment can facilitate the teaching of problem solving in practice in a number of ways. By working on the techniques during the lesson, teachers can teach students to value efficient problem solving as a practice priority.
