PRACTICE GUIDELINES AT HOME
CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY
A weekly piano lesson will not create a pianist if it is not combined with regular practice at home. The hardest part is just getting to the piano. Once you’re there, the rest is easy! Missing a day or two isn’t a problem, but consistency is the key!
It is important to PLAY EVERY DAY but in shorter sessions. Personally, I sit down multiple times each day for about 20 minutes each time.
BEGINNERS -
Play through your songs and exercises 2-3 times per day. It's not how long you practice, it's how often!
AS YOU PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNER LEVEL:
1. Determine when the best time of the day is to practice and make it part of your daily
routine.
2. Practice for 20-30 minutes at a time, then take a short break and come back to it if
you want to spend more time practicing. If you have patience to practice longer than
30 minutes, go for it!
3. The quality of your practice session is more important than how long you work at it.
However, the more you practice - the more you will improve.
4. Spend time on scales, exercises and technique as part of your daily practice.
5. Take time to practice with a steady beat like a metronome, jam track or drum machine to check your rhythm.
6. Play slowly and controlled to avoid teaching yourself bad habits. Go slow until you can
learn your part without any mistakes then work towards full speed.
7. Set mini goals to help you accomplish bigger music goals.
8. If you run into trouble and have a question while you are practicing, write it down. Then
we can talk about it at the next lesson.
9. Take some time to be creative and have fun. Exercise your creativity.
10. Practicing is different from playing. Both are important. Learn to separate practicing
time from playing time and try to maintain a good balance. Have fun too!
