The Art of Practice: Helping Your Child (and Yourself) Succeed in Music
Introduction
Learning an instrument is a journey—one that requires patience, consistency, and the right approach to practice. As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child build effective practice habits. And if you’re learning an instrument yourself, these principles apply just as much to you!
Good practice isn’t just about putting in hours; it’s about practicing smart. Here are the core principles of effective practice, both for young musicians and lifelong learners.
1. Quality Over Quantity
Many people assume that the more you practice, the better you’ll get. But longer practice sessions don’t always mean better results. A focused, 20-minute session is far more effective than an hour of distracted, unfocused playing.
🎯 Focus on small goals each session
🎯 Avoid “autopilot” playing—always be engaged in what you’re doing
🎯 Slow down and break things into smaller sections if needed
2. Build a Habit: Practice a Little Each Day
Consistency is the key to progress. It’s far more effective to practice 20 minutes every day than to cram everything into one or two long sessions a week.
Tips for Parents:
✅ Help your child set a consistent practice time—just like brushing their teeth or doing homework.
✅ Keep practice sessions short and positive to avoid burnout.
✅ Encourage a growth mindset—celebrate effort, not just achievement!
3. How Much and How Often Should They Practice?
One of the biggest questions parents ask is: “How much should my child practice?” The answer? It depends!
There’s no magic number because every student is different. The right amount of practice depends on:
🎵 Age – Younger kids often benefit from shorter, more frequent sessions, while older students can handle longer ones.
🎵 Level of Playing – A beginner might do well with 15-20 minutes a day, while an advanced student may need an hour or more.
🎵 Schedule & Commitment – Some students play for fun, while others are working toward serious goals. Practice should fit into their life in a way that feels sustainable.
The Goal: Find a Balance That Works
The key is to practice enough to see progress but not so much that it leads to frustration. If you or your child are improving consistently and still enjoying playing, you’re practicing the right amount.
Instead of focusing on a strict time requirement, prioritize consistency and quality. Some general guidelines:
⏳ Young beginners – 10-20 minutes a day
⏳ Intermediate players – 30-45 minutes a day
⏳ Advanced students – 1+ hour a day (broken into manageable chunks)
The most important thing is to listen to how you feel—if practice feels overwhelming, it might be time to scale back or change the approach. If progress has stalled, increasing focus or time may help. Find the balance that works for you! 🎶
4. Create a Dedicated Practice Space
A comfortable, well-organized space can make practice easier and more enjoyable. Your practice area should have:
✔️ A sturdy chair and proper lighting
✔️ A music stand
✔️ A tuner, metronome, and any other necessary accessories
✔️ A quiet environment, free from distractions
If everything is set up and ready to go, getting started is much easier!
5. Record Yourself Regularly
Recording yourself is one of the best ways to track progress and improve. It helps you:
📌 Hear things you might not notice while playing
📌 Identify strengths and weaknesses
📌 Stay motivated by seeing how far you’ve come
Parents can encourage kids by making a fun habit out of recording “before and after” versions of songs as they improve.
6. Have a Plan for Frustration
Frustration is part of learning! Instead of giving up or getting discouraged, have a go-to strategy for when things get tough.
🎵 Take a break – Step away for a few minutes and reset.
🎵 Slow it down – If a section is difficult, play it at half-speed.
🎵 Change it up – Play something fun or easy before returning to the challenge.
🎵 Remind yourself (or your child) that progress takes time – Every musician struggles at some point!
7. Always Stretch & Warm Up Properly
Just like athletes warm up before playing sports, musicians should warm up their hands, arms, and breath before playing. This prevents injuries and improves technique.
🎼 For string players: Do slow bow exercises, left-hand finger taps, and gentle stretching.
🎼 For wind players: Start with long tones and easy articulation exercises.
🎼 For pianists: Stretch your fingers and play slow, deliberate scales or arpeggios.
A few minutes of warming up can make a huge difference in how well you play!
8. Follow Your Teacher’s Lesson Plan
A good teacher structures lessons in a logical sequence—this order should guide your practice sessions.
💡 Start with warm-ups
💡 Move to technique exercises (scales, etudes, etc.)
💡 Practice new material carefully
💡 Review older pieces to maintain them
Encourage your child to follow their teacher’s notes rather than randomly playing through pieces. This helps build skills in the right order.
9. Write Down Questions & Observations
Encourage your child to keep a small practice journal where they can:
📖 Write down questions for their next lesson
📖 Note tricky sections they need help with
📖 Track progress on specific pieces
This helps keep lessons productive and reinforces good learning habits.
10. Don’t Overpractice—Let Sleep Do Its Job!
Music isn’t just learned during practice—it’s also learned while you sleep! Overplaying can lead to diminishing returns, tension, and frustration.
🔹 After a solid practice session, your brain continues processing what you learned.
🔹 Many musicians find that they improve overnight, even without playing!
🔹 Taking breaks and getting rest is just as important as practicing.
So, don’t force marathon sessions—let your brain and muscles absorb what you’ve practiced.
Conclusion
Great practice isn’t about how long you play—it’s about how you play. Whether you’re helping your child or learning an instrument yourself, the best results come from consistent, structured, and mindful practice.
🎵 Focus on quality over quantity
🎵 Make practice a daily habit
🎵 Find a balanced practice routine that fits your life
🎵 Create a comfortable space
🎵 Record yourself to track progress
🎵 Have a strategy for frustration
🎵 Warm up properly
🎵 Follow your teacher’s plan
🎵 Write down questions and observations
🎵 Rest and trust the learning process
With the right approach, practice becomes not just productive, but also enjoyable. Happy practicing! 🎶
