Practice Expectations

Unlike other extra-curricular activities, piano practice occurs primarily in between lessons.  This is an important consideration in determining whether piano lessons are right for you, your child & your family.

Tips For Successful Practice

There are ways to make regular practice a positive part of each week!

Set a Practice Routine

  • Make practice a habit by incorporating it into your daily routine
    • We all grumble less when something is just a regular part of the day.
  • Link it to an activity that already happens.
    • Before school, right after school, following after school snack, before or after dinner, etc.
    • Research shows we have more success with forming new habits when they are linked to routines we already have in place.
  • Choose a practice time when your child is well rested & is not hungry during practice.
  • Budget approximately 15 minutes daily for each 30 minutes of lessons as a minimum.  (see below for more details)

Try something new with your song as you practice during the week.

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What Practice Looks Like

  • Make practice about quality, not quantity.
    • Focused, intentional practice goes much further than practice focused on just  “getting it done”.
  • Aim for 15 minutes daily (with that time going up as your child progresses).
    • If your child is having a rough day, let them end early.  Try again later in the day or add an extra day later in the week.  This is not meant to be a daily fight.
    • If your child wants to keep playing past the ‘allotted’ time, let them!
  • Read the practice page each & every practice session.
    • Use the practice strategies listed.
    • Make a mini goal to get closer to the weekly goal.  (For example, “I will practice the star section 5 times correctly before I play the other parts of the song.”)
    • Mark which assignments have been practiced.
    • Text or call Ms. Rosemarie if you have a question.
  • Encourage your child often, as well as praise their effort & milestones (no matter how small).
    • This can not be stressed enough!  YOUR encouragement will help your child feel that their efforts are being recognized.
  • For younger students, parents must be involved during practice time to help them set good habits.

What is a piano parent’s role?

Learn more about your role in your child’s practice sessions, by clicking the “Role of the Piano Parent” button below.

Role of the Piano Parent