Beginners imitating outdated technique, although just a little bit (4)
I believe the answer is:
iota
'just a little bit' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'beginners imitating outdated technique although' is the wordplay.
'beginners' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'imitating outdated technique although' is 'IOTA'.
(Other definitions for iota that I've seen before include "Gr. letter; small amount" , "(Not one) little bit" , "Extremely small amount" , "Contrivance" , "Just a jot, from Greek alphabet" .)