The main purpose of this dissertation was to explore the psychomotor and cognitive characteristics of the practice behaviours of a group of novice keyboard instrumentalists and to identify those factors which had most significant influence on performance achievement. The pivotal question guiding the study was 'How can one characterise the effects of practice strategies on the performance outcomes of this group of novice performers?' Six research questions were examined. The first three concerned student predisposition, practice procedures, and performance achievement. The second three questions examined the relationships between personal characteristics, practice behaviours and performance outcomes. The results of the study indicate that some beginners are capable of cognitive engagement in the execution of practice. Students who planned, analysed and evaluated practice strategies, both mentally and physically, were identified as self-regulated learners. These students were the more successful achievers. Students who made use of the technology, specifically for instructional purposes, made more gains that those that did not. Accumulated practice was not found to influence performance achievement. Implications for future research on this little explored subject were included / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)