Practicing Tips
A regular practice routine is the best way to improve your piano skills. With so many activities and commitments, it can be hard to find time for regular practice! Here are some of our favourite tips for getting in some quality time at the piano:
1. Break it up
You don’t have to do all your practicing in one session. Many students work better in shorter bursts, and that is ok! Instead of aiming for 30 minutes at once, try dividing this time into smaller sessions and spacing them throughout the day, as your schedule allows. Five or ten minutes at a time will add up quickly!
2. Less is more, if it’s often
In a busy week, it’s tempting to practice only one or two days (especially the day before your lesson). While it is impressive to practice for two hours on a Sunday afternoon, your brain and fingers will retain all their hard work more easily if you are playing more often. Even if you can only do five minutes each day, you will still be better primed for long-term progress than if you practice once a week for a couple of hours.
3. Think outside the box
Everyone’s day looks a little bit different. Some of us have time and energy in the morning. Others are night owls. How can you make your practicing routine fit into your day and work for YOU? Sometimes this means getting a bit creative. Can you play for 10 minutes while you drink your morning coffee (for adults)? Are you freshest right when you come home from school, and can you practice for 15 minutes before afternoon snack/homework time (for kids)?
4. Start with the hardest part
Sometimes our practicing feels extra challenging. What are the pieces that challenge you the most? Is there a particular bar or line that gives you the most trouble? Once you are warmed up, start in the place that feels the hardest. You can set a timer for 5 minutes to keep yourself on track. Once the timer goes off, you are done with the hard part for today, and you can enjoy the rest of your practice.
Happy practicing!
