For me there are still three levels to gain once you have practiced a piece.

First, you can read it through
Second, you can actually play it
Third, you can start to make music with it

Next week I will play the premiere of Rebecca Saunder’s Bite which is a 15+ minute piece for bass flute solo. If I am lucky, I will reach the third level. Watch this space, I would really like to write about it. I just hope I find time before the year is over.