How Much Practice Time?

This week, I had several students who had used the long weekend for extra practice time, and it showed! I love to see the look on their faces when they have accomplished a piece of music and get to feel that "job-well-done" feeling.

Whether it's sitting down for a half-hour at a time, or fitting in a couple of minutes here and there, spending time at the piano every day is a very important part of piano training. As I've told a couple of students, not practicing is like going to a candy store, buying a bag of candy, then throwing it away when you get home. You don't get to enjoy it, and you don't get your money's worth!

For younger students, a couple of minutes per year of age is a good rule of thumb. I think a 5-year-old will benefit from about 10 minutes a day. For older students, a half-hour is reasonable. When I was young (starting at age 7), I had to practice an hour every day. I didn't always enjoy it, but faced with the possibility of stopping lessons or practicing, I chose to practice. And honestly, an hour of practice is a bit long some days -- probably two 30-minute sessions might have been better. But, on those days when you get "lost" in your music, an hour of practice can fly by before you know it.

Right now, I am practicing too! I am working on some pieces for Eclectic, so I know the benefits and the discipline required to sit down and do the work. So, I'm right there with you! I also know how good it feels to add another beautiful piece of music to my repertoire. Currently, I'm working on "I Hope You Dance" - a piano solo version with some really pretty chords and embellishments. Hopefully by tomorrow (when I am scheduled to perform it) it will feel like "mine".