You want your kids to fall in love with music, especially when it comes to playing the piano, right? Whether you're just getting started and want to make sure you're heading in the right direction, or you're noticing practice time starting to get off track and need a little boost, you're in the right place!
“Success begets success” (thanks, Aristotle!) and we believe that good practice habits are key to a successful experience in learning piano. As Nicola Cantan states in her book Practice Pie,
“The equation is not: If my child enjoys music, then they will practice.
It’s: If my child practices, they’re more likely to enjoy music.”
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so here are some FAQs and tips to help you figure out what works best for your child and family.
*How long should we practice?
The amount of daily practice time depends on the student's age, level, and goals. We don’t like to prescribe a set amount of time per day as it is more important to establish the habit of getting to the piano in the first place rather than stress about how much time is spent playing. Consistency is key—practicing a little every day is more effective than cramming into one long session. Obviously, the more time you invest, the more you’ll see in terms of progress, but only if that practice is focused and goal-oriented. It’s important that students don’t just set a timer and go through the motions. Instead, practice should feel purposeful. Naturally, as pieces become more challenging, the amount of practice time will increase too. However, if you are looking for what is generally needed to make progress, here are some guidelines you can follow to know how much time to set aside:
Young Beginners (ages 5-7): 10-15 minutes per day
Elementary/Intermediate students: 20-30 minutes per day
Advanced students: 45-60 minutes per day
*When is a good time to practice?
One of the best times to practice and guarantee a consistent routine is by using "Habit Stacking," a strategy from James Clear's book Atomic Habits. Your child already has plenty of daily habits—brushing their teeth, feeding the dog, doing homework, eating dinner, and even getting dressed. The idea is to attach piano practice to something they’re already doing regularly. Over time, it’ll naturally become part of their routine. For example, my kids practiced in the mornings after breakfast and before school, taking advantage of that time when they were young and up so early but the bus came so late. 🙄
*How much does the parent need to be involved? What is appropriate for each age and stage of learning?
With each age group comes a different level of independence and expectations for piano practice. Very young beginners shouldn’t be expected to practice on their own. While they can explore and play as much as they like, focused practice should be a fun, shared activity with a parent. As children grow older, they’ll develop the skills to manage their practice sessions, but still need help staying on track. Pre-teens and teens can practice independently, but regular check-ins from parents are key to ensuring progress and keeping them engaged.
Ages 4 to 7 – Parents Supervise
Ages 8 to 11 – Parents Remind & Verify
Ages 12 and up – Independent but still need to be checked on
*What does my child need to do when they sit down to practice? What’s a good order to complete assignments?
A great place to start is to look at the assignment sheet. Begin with theory and technique book assignments, as they often inform the lesson book work. Technique and scale work can also serve as a good warm-up. For the first few months, Level A or “new-to-the-studio” students should focus on playing their current assignments and reviewing previously learned pieces. Once students are more familiar with the process of learning new songs, they’re encouraged to not only complete their assignments but also to move forward if they feel confident. After all, the goal of Piano Club is to help students become independent learners who can progress without needing constant instruction.
*What are some ways I can motivate my child to practice?
Setting up a routine and making practice time enjoyable are key starting points.
Choose a Fair Practice Time: Avoid scheduling practice when it’s competing with something your child loves, like when the neighborhood kids are outside playing or when siblings are watching a favorite show. Find a time that works well for your family and gives your child the chance to focus.
Keep a Consistent Routine: Make sure everyone in the household knows when practice time is. If everyone is on the same page, it's easier for your child to stick to it without distractions or interruptions.
Create an Inviting Space: The piano area should be a place where your child enjoys spending time. Avoid clutter and distractions, and for some kids, make sure it’s not too isolated so they don’t feel left out.
Provide a Quality Instrument: A piano that feels and sounds good to play is essential. Just as no one would want to play basketball with a flat ball, an instrument that’s out of tune, has broken keys or feels like a cheap toy won’t inspire a child to practice.
Beyond the initial set-up, your continued support is essential:
Reward the Routine, Not the Practice: Focus on rewarding the habit of getting to the piano, not just completing the session. Use a practice tracker and mark it when practice starts as a reward for showing up, not for finishing. Small rewards like a treat, extra screen time, or a small trip can help build motivation.
Be Involved: Ask your child about their lessons, check their assignment sheets, and listen to them play. Showing interest in their progress helps them value their own efforts.
Praise Effort, Not Just Success: Be specific in your praise, like, “You played that B flat every time!” or “You got it right three times in a row!” This keeps feedback focused on their effort and achievement rather than vague praise.
Hydrate and Refuel: Have your child drink water before practice or give them a snack to help with focus. Sometimes they may need a few deep breaths to center themselves before starting.
Allow for Unstructured Play: Sometimes it's okay to let them "goof off" and explore the piano without focusing on assignments. Unstructured playtime can nurture creativity and a love for music.
Empathize with Frustration: Don’t dismiss their challenges. Acknowledge when something is difficult and offer empathy before providing solutions or strategies.
Listen to Music Together: Explore different styles and genres of music, whether it includes piano or not. You never know what might inspire your child next!
Mini Performance Opportunities: Set up small performance moments, whether it’s for the family or on a video call with relatives. It gives your child something to work toward and allows you to celebrate their achievements.
Lastly, consider borrowing Nicola Cantan’s book Practice Pie from the studio for many, many more motivating ideas!
*My child always plays their songs from start to finish, but there are so many obvious mistakes. What are some good practice strategies?
Playing from start to finish is certainly the goal, but it’s not the most effective way to practice, especially when there are mistakes. An initial run-through is helpful to get familiar with the piece and identify tricky spots. After that, here are some strategies that can be useful depending on the student's experience and the piece's difficulty:
Listen to a recording: Follow along with the score to get a sense of how the piece should sound.
Rhythm work: Close the piano lid and tap/count the rhythms of each hand.
Practice hands separately: Focus on one hand at a time to build accuracy.
Say note names as you play: This helps reinforce note reading while improving accuracy.
Count out loud: Counting the beats keeps timing and rhythm in check.
Isolate tricky spots: Start with the most challenging sections to improve weak areas first.
Use a metronome: Begin at a slow tempo and increase speed only after mastering the current one.
Backward practice: Start with the last measure and gradually work backwards to strengthen tricky sections. (i.e. Play only the last measure, then play the last 2 measures, then the last 3 measures, etc., until you get to the beginning of a section. )
Jump around: Focus on a select section of the piece, playing for several repetitions. Then alternate to another section to prevent mental fatigue.
Avoid mindless repetition: If your child’s mind starts to wander, shift to a new section or strategy.
Play with the recording: Feeling confident? Playing along with a recording is a great way to check for mistakes or misalignments.
Encouraging your child to incorporate these strategies will help them build skills efficiently and reduce frustration during practice.
*How do I know my child is succeeding at playing piano?
Consistency in Practice: Your child is developing a regular practice routine and sticking to it. Consistency is one of the strongest indicators of progress.
Mastering Small Goals: Whether it’s learning a new scale, playing a short song, or conquering a difficult passage, they’re hitting the milestones set by their teacher.
Improved Focus: They can concentrate longer on tasks, work through challenges, and are less frustrated when practicing difficult sections.
Understanding Theory: Your child can explain basic music concepts like note names, rhythm, or dynamics and apply them during practice.
Increased Dexterity: You’ll notice their fingers moving more fluidly across the keys, playing with greater ease and accuracy.
Positive Attitude: They feel proud of their accomplishments and are excited to share what they’ve learned, whether it's playing for family or talking about their lessons.
Creativity at the Piano: They may start experimenting, composing simple melodies, or making up their own arrangements of favorite songs.
Active Participation in Lessons: They engage with their teacher, ask questions, and are excited about what’s coming next.
Success is about enjoying the journey, building skills, and growing a love for music!
*How is Success and Progress Measured at mfMusic Studio?
At mfMusic Studio, we believe that the more a student plays, the quicker they become proficient. Quantity—without sacrificing quality—helps build confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Passing songs and adding them to the "mastered melodies list" is both motivating and rewarding, reinforcing that feeling of success. So we track progress based on songs “mastered”. Students should be passing songs at the following rate:
Level A students: 3–4 songs per week in the first half of the book, 2–3 songs per week in the second half
Level B students: 2 songs per week
Level C students: 1–2 songs per week
Level D students: 1 song per week
Level E students: 1 song every 1–2 weeks
Levels F & G students: 1 song every 1–3 weeks
*Need a Little Inspiration to get started or want to know how top students stay on track and continue to improve their piano skills?
We interviewed three of our dedicated teens about their practice routines and strategies. Watch the video to see how they manage their time and keep their love for music alive!
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