<![CDATA[The low level of students' basic technical skills in playing the traditional polopalo musical instrument at SMP Negeri 1 Tilongkabila is caused by the use of the ineffective lecture method in musical arts practice. This study aims to describe the implementation of the drill method to improve students' fine motor skills through extracurricular activities. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study involved ten eighth-grade students as the main subjects. The systematic research stages included planning a practice-based teaching module, implementing intensive training for eight meetings, evaluating individual technical achievements, and conducting ongoing instructional reflection. The research findings showed a significant increase in skill mastery gradually; at the fifth meeting the success rate reached 50 percent and jumped rapidly to 70 percent at the sixth meeting. Students successfully mastered stick holding techniques, hitting accuracy, hand movement coordination, and rhythmic accuracy in a stable manner. In addition to technical aspects, the implementation of this repetitive practice significantly increased students' discipline, activeness, and self-confidence. The main conclusion confirms that the drill method is very effective in forming essential muscle memory for beginners in playing traditional instruments. This strategy not only optimizes students' musicality, but also plays a strategic role as an effort to dynamically preserve Gorontalo's local cultural heritage amidst the current modernization of arts education in order to fortify the national identity for the younger generation in schools. ABSTRAK Rendahnya keterampilan teknik dasar siswa dalam memainkan alat musik tradisional polopalo di SMP Negeri 1 Tilongkabila disebabkan oleh penggunaan metode ceramah yang kurang efektif dalam praktik seni musik. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan implementasi metode drill guna meningkatkan kemahiran motorik halus siswa melalui kegiatan ekstrakurikuler. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, penelitian ini melibatkan sepuluh peserta didik kelas delapan sebagai subjek utama. Tahapan penelitian secara sistematis mencakup perencanaan modul ajar berbasis praktik, pelaksanaan latihan intensif selama delapan pertemuan, evaluasi capaian teknik individu, serta refleksi instruksional berkelanjutan. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan adanya peningkatan penguasaan keterampilan yang signifikan secara bertahap; pada pertemuan kelima tingkat keberhasilan mencapai 50 persen dan melonjak pesat menjadi 70 persen pada pertemuan keenam. Siswa berhasil menguasai teknik memegang stik, akurasi pukulan, koordinasi gerak tangan, serta ketepatan irama secara stabil. Selain aspek teknis, penerapan latihan berulang ini secara nyata meningkatkan kedisiplinan, keaktifan, dan kepercayaan diri peserta didik. Simpulan utama menegaskan bahwa metode drill sangat efektif dalam membentuk memori otot yang esensial bagi pemula dalam memainkan instrumen tradisional. Strategi ini tidak hanya mengoptimalkan musikalitas siswa, tetapi juga berperan strategis sebagai upaya pelestarian warisan budaya lokal Gorontalo secara dinamis di tengah modernisasi pendidikan seni saat ini guna membentengi identitas bangsa bagi generasi muda di sekolah.]]>
