Practice is essential to develop skill in any endeavor, especially piano playing. However knowing how to structure one’s practice time can be challenging for students and busy parents.
Parents, have you wondered:
“How do I help my child structure their piano practice time at home?”
As a piano school owner and professional music educator, my expertise is helping students develop piano proficiency by teaching them the keys to effective piano practice.
Below are 11 tips to help you and your child with practicing-
Set up a regular practice schedule:
This will help them develop a consistent routine and make practicing a habit.
Create a quiet and comfortable practice space:
Make sure the piano is placed in an area where there are no distractions or interruptions.
Break down music into manageable parts:
Encourage your child to practice each section repeatedly until they feel comfortable playing it.
Focus on technique:
Encourage your child to use correct hand posture and finger placement to improve their overall playing.
Break each practice session down:
Students who are enrolled in the Class Piano should spend between 3 to 5 hours per week, not including the class time, reviewing and studying the materials that are given in the class.
If your child has a shorter attention span. You may break up the practice session into smaller increments each day. Perhaps doing two 15-minute practice sessions per day, or do three 10-minute practice sessions per day.
Practice from where the mistakes are and not from the beginning of the piece:
When I observe my students practice, one of the biggest issues I see is that when they make a mistake, they start playing again from the beginning of the piece. This is not effective. Instead, practice sections individually and isolate where the mistake was made.
Provide positive reinforcement:
Make sure that you celebrate all the small wins that your child is making!
Make it fun:
Incorporate games, challenges, or play along with them! This will keep your child engaged and interested in practicing.
Encourage regular performance:
Have your child perform for friends and family who visit your home. This will help them build confidence and gain confidence playing in front of others.
Purchase a good piano:
Preferably with an adjustable bench and a pedal extender so your child can reach the foot pedals. Having the right equipment is important for the child to develop technique and musicality.
For my recommendations on purchasing a piano, read my blog here.
Have your child teach a family member what they learned on piano:
Teaching someone something is a great way to reinforce a concept in one’s mind. When a child helps someone, they feel good about themselves. Plus, teaching is a great bonding experience.
One of the benefits of our studio is we offer weekly practice sessions to our students where we teach and demonstrate how to practice their pieces effectively.
If you’re a member of our studio and want to sign your child up for a session, click here.
If you’re not a member of our studio but would like to learn more about our program, click here.