September 30, 2019
Depending on your age, your physical health, and your level of expertise, the amount you should be practicing the piano is going to vary substantially. Everybody learning the instrument should be practicing piano each day, but how long should your daily piano practice go for, and what should it involve? Here are just a few of the things to consider when setting the length of your piano practice.
The Bare Necessities
A certain amount of practice every day is necessary to ensure that your piano skills don’t go backwards. There’s more than just allegorical truth to the notion that you become what you routinely do; when you skip practice, even just a couple of days, the neural pathways and muscle memories you have built up start to fade away.
It’s a bit like being an athlete; even if you’re already super fit, it’s important to go to the gym if you want to keep it that way! As a minimum, do five minutes of practice every day so you can retain what you’ve previously learned.
How Much Do You Have to Practice in Order to Get Better?
Different people improve at playing the piano at different rates. Additionally, your progress won’t always chart as a straight line going up; experienced players sometimes spend years feeling as though they’ve plateaued. There will be struggles, gaps, dips, and, thankfully, the occasional epiphany – those glorious moments where you can suddenly do things you never thought yourself capable of!
The important thing is to put the time in. You can’t necessarily predict when you’re going to get better, but your likelihood of having a breakthrough is much higher if you’re practicing regularly. Beginners should aim to practice for at least thirty minutes a day.
Keep it Focused
It’s not just the amount of time you practice: it’s the way you use it. Just like anything else, it takes longer to complete an activity you’re dreading than one you’re enthusiastic about. Nobody ever got better just sitting and staring at the keys. In a focused and dedicated manner, try to use all of your practice time wisely.
Don’t Over Exert Yourself!
As important as it is to practice often and well, you have to be mindful not to take it too far. Over-practicing, or practicing in the wrong way, can lead to all sorts of trouble, like muscular pain or a repetitive strain injury.
A small level of discomfort might be normal or even necessary, but an injury that prevents you from practicing in the future is going to be worse for you in the long run.
Practice Makes Perfect on the Perfect Piano
Make sure you’re practicing the right things, in the right way, with the right equipment. Whether you need a new piano, a tuning, or a new teacher, The Pianoforte can help. We’ve been Sydney’s leading experts for the last thirty years, and with convenient store locations in Sydney, it’s easy to contact us or pop-in for a visit. Call us in:
- Chatswood – 02 9411 8911
- Seven Hills – 0478 658 227
