Home Practice Tips

Your child is starting on their musical journey, but you might be wondering, "How can I help at home?" This is a great question! What you do at home is just as important as what happens during lessons. I've put together some tips to help you and your child get the most out of their piano practice time and be ready for their lessons. These aren't just about practicing notes; they're about building a love for music that will last a lifetime.

My son and I playing the piano together

1. Set the Stage for Success- Keep your child’s music book open on the piano. When their materials are visible and easily accessible, they'll be more likely to engage with the piano on their own. For young beginners, solo exploration (looking through the book, engaging with pictures, and creating their own songs) is highly beneficial.

2. Make Practice a Routine- Find a predictable time each day to sit with your child. Short, daily sessions (even just a few minutes!) are more effective than one or two long sessions per week.

3. Foster Ownership and Fun- Have your child demonstrate what they learned in their lesson, then let them be "the teacher." This helps them feel a sense of ownership over their lessons. Remember, a happy "bonding on the bench" experience is more important than perfection. 

4. "If it's tricky, take away. If it's easy, add more to play!"- This little phrase is the secret to learning to play the piano! If your child is finding it difficult to play a certain part of their song, the first thing we do is slooooow it down and simplify (take away). I like to use a post-it note to block off the music that comes after their stopping point so they can't play past it because it's covered. Take away speed (slow down) and notes (play one line or measure at a time, only one or two notes past the tricky part, etc.), but always focus on keeping our "proper piano posture" of sitting tall with fingers "glued" to the keys in a C hand shape (round fingers). As the tricky parts become easier, we can "add more to play" by playing more of the song and/or playing it faster if needed. 

Remember, the goal isn't perfection, it's connection and consistency. By making piano practice a positive and fun part of your routine, you're not just helping your child learn an instrument; you're creating special memories together. Happy practicing!