WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT PRACTICE
Piano practice can be a mystery to parents who have never played an instrument.
It’s not like soccer practice…drop your children off at the field, cheer from the sidelines and when a great pass is made or a goal is scored, it’s obvious that they’re doing well. But piano practice? Piano drop-off just doesn’t exist. So, what do you need to know? Here’s a few things that might help…
1. Your children will need help – Up until about age 11, children need hands-on help with home practice. Even though you may not read music or play the piano, your assistance is still very much needed! Parental help can take the form of reading lesson notes, organizing practice time wisely, providing encouragement through difficult sections or situations, and seeking out answers for “I’m stuck on this” problems. Asking a young child to be in charge of something as important as piano practice is often asking too much. Your help at home will make a substantial difference in your children’s progress.
2. Your children need you to establish a routine – Piano practice that happens every single day is by far the most effective practice structure. 30 minutes three times a week is just 90 minutes. 20 minutes seven days a week is 140 minutes. The total difference over the course of a year is 43 hours of missed practice. Setting a regular time of day when piano practice happens “no matter what” will ensure a daily practice routine is easy for your children to maintain.
3. Your children need lots of encouragement – Learning to read music and play the piano can be difficult; it can be discouraging… it can feel overwhelming. Your children (no matter what their age) need loads of encouragement.
And not just verbal encouragement. You can show your children that you value their efforts by attending their recitals with enthusiasm, inviting friends and family to listen to them play, and taking the time to sit and listen to them practice with your undivided attention. If possible, take time to be aware of what goes on in their lessons – not necessarily in the room, but nearby with one ear attuned to the lesson.
4. Your children need a home instrument that is enjoyable to play – Much of the pleasure from playing the piano comes from one’s ability to emote feeling, nuance and expression through music. Even young beginners will experience great satisfaction from making beautiful sounds…. so choose an instrument that gives them the best opportunity to make beautiful sounds – one that will give your children the tool they need to truly experience piano lessons. An investment in a good instrument protects the investment you are making in your children’s musical education. If you need help, I will give some personal guidance in this area – no charge.
5. Your children need a positive practice environment – Aside from providing encouragement, your children need you to create a positive practice atmosphere. Help your children avoid “cramming” the day before lessons. Stick to your daily routine to avoid weeks of forgotten practice (which lead to feelings of inadequacy on the part of your children). Music is joyful… and so practicing music should be as well. This is, fortunately, something that you are able to create easily with a commitment to regular practice.
6. Your children need you to communicate with their teacher – Working as a parent/child/teacher triangle is the optimal way to ensure progress and success in piano lessons. Be sure to communicate often with me. Check in on how lessons are progressing, ask for help if something is difficult for your children at home, and let your teacher know when practice weeks have gone extremely well (or not so well). Working as a team means your children are supported equally on all sides at all times.
7. HOW MUCH SHOULD A STUDENT PRACTICE?
Finding the Right Balance: While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, we believe in finding a balance that ensures consistent progress without overwhelming the student with excessive demands. It is important to consider various factors to determine an appropriate practice time that suits the individual needs and goals of each student.
It is crucial to understand that quality of practice is more significant than sheer quantity of time spent on the instrument. A focused and engaged practice session of shorter duration can yield better results compared to mindless repetition for an extended period. Students are therefore encouraged to establish a regular practice routine that promotes concentration and mindfulness.
For beginners and younger students, we recommend allocating 15 to 30 minutes per day for practice. At this stage, it is essential to foster a sense of enjoyment and exploration, gradually building the foundation of piano technique, music theory, and aural skills.
As students progress to intermediate and advanced levels, the complexity of repertoire and technical demands increases. At this point, it becomes crucial to dedicate more time to practice for consistent improvement. For most intermediate students, practicing for 30 to 60 minutes per day would be appropriate. Advanced students will need 60-90 minutes per day to continue making progress, while those planning on pursuing music at a collegiate level, will benefit from more. However, it is important to emphasize the importance of breaks during those practice sessions to prevent strain or fatigue.
It is vital that students understand the significance of consistent practice. Regular repetition helps reinforce muscle memory, builds fluency, and refines interpretation. We encourage students to make practice a daily habit, rather than relying on lengthy sessions closer to their piano lessons. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the music and maintains steady progress throughout their musical journey.