Reshmi Patel • February 8, 2021

Five Top Tips to Boost Your Piano Practice

As we have all experienced at some point, piano practice can sometimes feel confusing and difficult to stick to on a consistent basis. In times like this it’s important that we come together and share our music with one another.

Last week we collaborated with Tom Hawkins, a highly experienced and passionate Piano Teacher based in Sheffield. We met Tom on one of our piano teacher development courses and have ventured into a path where we would like to educate students and parents about piano practice.

Top tips you can implement into your piano journey to support your practice:


1.     Hooking your piano practice to an existing part of your routine.


Choose an activity that you carry out everyday and use this as your cue to practice your instrument. Some examples may be: brushing your teeth, eating breakfast or getting dressed. This can avoid you forgetting to practice.


2.     Seating position


Aim to use a chair which can remain stationary whilst you play or a piano stool. This can allow you to plant your feet firmly on the floor and sit upright with your arm at a relaxed 90-degree angle.



The correct posture can create ease and strength in your playing as you can play with more power and have more freedom to shift from one side of the keys to another as and when you need to.

Caption: Image of the correct posture and seating position


3.     Listening to music



‘Active listening’ we have broken up into two branches, one way is to listen with headphones in to fully immerse yourself in the experience of listening to the music including listening out for chords, rhythms and melodies you enjoy/dislike the sound of. An alternative method can be to listen to your piece or section of a piece before trying it out yourself on the piano.


‘Passively listening’ is when you have music playing in the background whilst you are carrying out another activity, for example: whilst you are getting ready in the morning you listen to music. The section of the brain which is activate when we are learning music is activated both when we are actively and passively listening to music. Over time musicians who listen to music will pick up rhythms and spot patterns a lot faster using this method regularly. 

4.     Making piano practice easy


Aim to leave your music on the stand and decide in advance what and when you will practice playing a particular piece or exercise. This saves a lot of energy and time which could be used in your piano practice session.


5.     Accountability and encouragement


For our younger students we recommend parents ask their children questions which can encourage them to reflect as well as gain a better understanding of where piano stands in their lives.



For adult students we recommend asking a friend, family member or a community of musicians which you may be apart of to hold you accountable to your goals. 

Here are some examples for those who are holding a piano player accountable could ask:


-        ‘What did you learn in your piano lesson today?’

-        ‘Did you find the piece or exercise you played tricky?’

-        ‘Do you have a particular song you would like to learn on the piano?’

-        ‘Which question could you ask you teacher in your next piano lesson?’


If you missed our Facebook Live, feel free to catch the replay over on our Facebook Page here: https://fb.watch/3qnQAuUX02/


Remember that when you are trying out these hacks to look at them little and often but also be patient with yourself. If you wish to know more about these hacks and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect with us directly.


To find out more, feel free to get involved in our latest project “The Habits of the Top Performing Piano Players”, fill out our survey: https://bit.ly/2FDs8rf For your chance to win a Nintendo DS Lite or a £50 Amazon Gift Voucher.

What to Do When Your Child Is Too Tired for Piano Practice

January 16, 2026
“They’ve had a long day… should we still push through practice?” Many parents feel torn between supporting consistency and respecting their child’s energy levels especially during busy school weeks. The truth is: Tiredness doesn’t mean lack of commitment. It often means your child’s brain needs a different approach. Here’s how to handle it without guilt or pressure. It’s reasonable to adjust expectations when: Your child is overwhelmed with school or clubs They’re emotionally exhausted Concentration is unusually low Short, calm practice is far more valuable than long, frustrated sessions. Sometimes: 5 focused minutes beats 20 stressed ones Listening to a piece counts as engagement Talking about the lesson reinforces learning How Teachers Adapt During Busy Periods Good teachers expect fluctuations in energy. During tiring phases, lessons may focus more on: Confidence and comfort Reinforcing known material Gentle technical reminders Enjoyment and connection to music This doesn’t slow progress, it protects it. How Parents Can Communicate This Proactively One of the most helpful things you can say is: “It’s been a heavy week. Please let us know what’s realistic to focus on.” This allows the teacher to: Adjust expectations Support your child emotionally Keep progress aligned without pressure You’re not letting anyone down you’re advocating. What Matters Most Long-Term Children who feel supported (not pushed) are more likely to: Stick with lessons Build confidence Develop a healthy relationship with learning Music is a long journey - not a sprint. A Gentle Reminder for Parents Rest, flexibility, and understanding are not signs you are supporting them.  If you’re unsure how to balance tiredness with consistency, we’re always happy to help you find a rhythm that works for your family. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

How to Spot Piano Progress as a Non-Musical Parent

January 12, 2026
Many parents tell us the same thing: “I want to support my child’s piano learning but I’m not musical, so I don’t know what to look for.” The truth is, you don’t need to read music or play the piano to be a huge part of your child’s progress. What matters most is how you observe, encourage and communicate, not your musical knowledge. Here are three simple, practical ways to stay involved and confident. 1️. Sit In on Lessons (Even Occasionally) You don’t need to attend every lesson -just sitting in from time to time can make a big difference. When you observe a lesson, you begin to notice: How your child is guided to sit and place their hands How the teacher breaks tasks into small, achievable steps The language and cues your child responds to Sit in for 10-15 minutes once every few weeks. This is to absorb rather than to assess. This helps you support practice at home using the same language the teacher uses. 2. Record a “Before vs After” Video One of the clearest ways to see progress - especially for non-musical parents - is through short videos. How it works: Record your child playing a song or exercise Then record the same song or exercise 5–6 lessons later, or on the day the teacher says it’s “finished” You’re not looking for perfection. Instead, notice small but meaningful changes: Confidence: Do they sit more comfortably and start playing more willingly? Hand position: Do they find their starting position more quickly? Flow: Are there fewer pauses or gaps in the music? Even tiny improvements are signs of progress - especially at this stage of learning Keep the video private. This isn’t for comparison with others - it’s simply a reminder of how far your child has come. 3. Set Simple Checkpoint Goals With the Teacher Progress doesn’t always mean “moving up a level”. For younger learners, it often shows up in skills and habits. Setting small checkpoint goals helps you know what to look out for at home. Examples of helpful checkpoint goals: “Starting the piece without help” “Finding hand position independently” “Playing through without stopping” “Feeling confident playing for someone else” Ask the teacher: “What’s one thing we should notice improving over the next few lessons?” This gives you clarity and keeps expectations realistic. A Reassuring Note for Parents At ages 6–8, piano progress is often gradual and subtle and that’s exactly how it should be. Confidence, comfort at the keyboard, and smoother transitions are just as important as notes and rhythms. By observing, recording small milestones, and staying aligned with the teacher, you’re already playing a vital role in your child’s musical journey even if you’ve never played a note yourself.  If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

How to Help Your Child Overcome Mistakes at the Piano

January 6, 2026
When your child is learning the piano, mistakes can feel frustrating - for both of you. But here’s the reassuring truth: mistakes are a natural and valuable part of learning. They show that your child is listening more carefully, paying attention, and trying to improve. Instead of viewing these little slip-ups as something to avoid, we can help children learn how to use them to become stronger musicians. Here are some gentle, encouraging ways to support your child when mistakes happen at the piano. 1. Remind Them That Mistakes Mean They’re Making Progress When a child starts to notice their own mistakes, it’s actually a sign of growth. They’re developing awareness and sensitivity - essential skills for becoming a confident pianist. Try reassuring them: “You noticed that - that means you're improving.” “Mistakes help us learn what to fix.” This shifts their mindset from frustration to curiosity. 2. Encourage Kindness Toward Themselves Children can be surprisingly tough on themselves. A tricky passage or repeated error can make them feel discouraged. A simple reminder goes a long way: “It’s okay. Learning takes time.” “Let’s take a breath and try again slowly.” When children feel safe to make mistakes, their confidence blossoms. 3. Show Them How to Turn Mistakes Into Something Creative A delightful part of learning the piano is discovering that mistakes don’t have to stop the music. If your child hits a wrong note, they can: Turn it into a little musical idea Repeat it as part of a rhythm Add a fun pattern or variation Teaching them to improvise through slip-ups helps them stay relaxed and playful - a skill that even advanced musicians rely on. 4. Focus on the Small Area That Needs Attention Instead of replaying the whole piece from the beginning, help your child zoom in on the exact spot where they keep slipping. A simple practice routine: Slow it right down Repeat the small section a 5 times in a row correctly Speed up only when the above has been completed This targeted practice builds confidence far faster than starting over each time. 5. Create a Little “Challenge List” Together Most kids love lists! Make a small note of the bars or patterns they find difficult. It turns frustration into a fun challenge to solve. Examples: “Left hand jump - bar 12” “Right-hand fingering in line 3” Look at the list for 2–3 minutes at the start of practice, then celebrate when they cross an item off. 6. Celebrate Every Win - Especially the Small Ones  Did they fix one bar? Play a tricky rhythm correctly once? Make fewer mistakes than yesterday? Cheer for these! Progress is made in tiny steps, and when those steps are noticed, children naturally stay more motivated and positive. Finally, mistakes aren’t something to fear, they're stepping stones. When your child feels supported, encouraged, and free to experiment, they grow into resilient, confident learners. Your gentle reassurance helps them build not just piano skills, but lifelong problem-solving skills too. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
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