What do 'performance practices' refer to in music?

'Performance practices' in music refer to the conventions used in interpreting music. This encompasses a variety of elements, such as the techniques, styles, and approaches musicians use when performing a piece. These practices can vary significantly depending on the historical context, genre, and cultural influences of the music. For instance, early music may follow specific ornamentation rules or phrasing that are informed by the performance conventions of the time.

Understanding performance practices helps musicians accurately convey the intended emotions and nuances of a composition, ensuring that they stay true to the style and era of the piece. This includes awareness of dynamics, tempo, articulation, and even the instruments used, all of which contribute to a performance’s authenticity and expression.

The other options touch on relevant aspects of music but do not define 'performance practices' directly. Audience behavior and compositional methods, while important in their own contexts, do not encompass the specific interpretation and execution of music in performance. Likewise, styles of musical performance may refer to broader genres or trends but lack the focus on the interpretative conventions that define performance practices.