This study examined and qualitatively described the music practice behaviors, strategies, and thoughts of four high school string students who indicated a high string playing self-efficacy. Concepts of practice, motivation, achievement, and self-efficacy were linked together to analyze tendencies and summarize strategies. These students were chosen from previous research where eight high and eight low self-efficacy string students were narrowed and compared after 101 string students' self-efficacy scores were determined and 65 of those correlated to achievement. Each of the four students for the current study was videotaped practicing, interviewed, and given a two-week practice journal. Triangulation was used for reliability. The participants in this study were higher self-efficacy students who had common elements that enabled them to succeed, such as studying with expert teachers, practicing outside of orchestra at school and home, and owning a quality instrument. Practice strategies varied and were qualitatively described, but all four tended to show higher order thinking skills and organization. Any differences were noted and the student who did succeed had unique approaches seen in past research as advanced practicing. (Contains 1 figure.)