A Reflective Lens: Music Pedagogical Research to Transform Practice | Page 46

Use of Reflective Practice in Developing Students’ Listening and
Ensemble Performing Skills in Guitar Ensemble Co-Curricular Activity

It is worth noting that the introduction of reflective
practice has given us an opportunity to keep track of the
development of William’s individual instrumental skills, as
seen in his third reflection journal:

I used more hand strength to get the note out
and sound nice. This will come with practice as
it trains my strength over time.
[Journal 03, 25 July 2014]

Similarly, John also discussed his own instrumental skills,
in particular, new playing techniques such as pizzicato
and tambour.

(pizzicato) ...placing the side of your palm on the
saddle and using your thumb to play the strings.
This will produce a muted sound.
[Journal 03, 25 July 2014]

(tambour) …tapping the bridge with your thumb while holding a chord. One
thing that helped me was that I already knew the chords. Another thing that
helped me was that I was already used to tapping the bridge because I
had a part earlier in the piece that required me to do it.
[Journal 02, 18 July 2014]

We believe that with the introduction of reflective practice,
it provided the members a focus point where they could
make sense of and develop their understanding towards
their individual musical learning as seen in the above
journal entries.

43