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.

How Can My Child Make Faster Progress Without More Pressure?

June 23, 2026
Many parents naturally wonder: "Is there anything we can do to help our child progress faster?" The answer is “yes!” But surprisingly, it isn't always about practising for longer. Often, it's about practising smarter and supporting learning more effectively. Focus on Quality Over Quantity Twenty focused minutes is often more valuable than forty distracted ones. Encourage your child to: Work on one small section at a time Repeat challenging passages slowly Celebrate small improvements Progress is built through quality repetitions. Listen to More Music Children who regularly listen to music often develop stronger musical awareness. Try: Piano versions of favourite songs Film soundtracks Classical pieces Live performances online The more children hear music, the more naturally they understand it. Encourage Independent Problem Solving Before giving answers, try asking: "What do you think your teacher would suggest?" This develops independence and musical thinking. Over time, children become less reliant on reminders and more capable of self-correction. Protect Enjoyment One of the quickest ways to slow progress is to turn learning into pressure. Children tend to improve most when they: Feel capable Enjoy lessons Experience regular success Confidence fuels motivation, and motivation fuels progress. Think in Months, Rather than in Days One of the most powerful shifts parents can make is focusing on long-term growth. Instead of asking: "Why isn't this perfect yet?" Ask: "Are they stronger than they were three months ago?" Small improvements compound over time. A Final Thought The children who make the greatest progress are rarely the ones under the most pressure.  They're usually the ones who stay engaged, curious, and consistent. When enjoyment and effort work together, progress tends to follow naturally. If you have any questions we’re always happy to help you make it work. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

How Piano Parents Can Support Piano Progress Between Lessons

June 15, 2026
You don't need to be musical to create a meaningful difference in your child’s piano journey. Many parents tell us: "I'd love to help more, but I don't play an instrument." The good news? You don't need to understand music theory or read notation to support your child's progress. Some of the most impactful support has nothing to do with musical knowledge. Create a Consistent Environment Children thrive on routine. Rather than focusing on long practice sessions, focus on: A regular practice time A quiet environment Minimal distractions Consistency often matters more than duration. Ask Questions Instead of: "Did you practise?" Try: "What did you improve today?" Or: "What are you most proud of this week?" These questions encourage reflection and ownership. Celebrate Effort, Rather than Talent Research consistently shows that children develop greater resilience when effort is praised rather than natural ability. For example: Instead of: "You're so talented." Try: "I noticed how patient you were with that tricky section." This encourages a growth mindset. Stay Connected With the Teacher You don't need lengthy conversations. Simply asking:  "What's one thing we should focus on this week?" This can provide clarity and confidence. Small conversations often lead to significant improvements. A Final Thought Children make the best progress when lessons and home support work together. It’s absolutely fine that you are not musically qualified or a teacher yourself. You can be the encouragement they are looking for at home. Now that role is incredibly powerful. If you have any questions we’re always happy to help you make it work. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

How Can I Help My Child Manage Nerves Before a Piano Exam or Performance?

June 12, 2026
Whether it's their first concert, a school performance, or a piano exam, feeling nervous is completely normal. In fact, most musicians including professionals experience some level of nerves before performing. The goal isn't to eliminate nerves entirely. The goal is to help children feel prepared, confident, and capable of performing despite them. Here are some simple ways to support your child. Replicate the Performance Environment at Home One of the most effective ways to reduce nerves is to make the experience feel familiar. A few days before the performance: Ask your child to walk into the room as if they were entering the stage Introduce themselves if they will be doing so Perform the piece from start to finish without stopping Invite a few family members to listen The more familiar the process feels, the less intimidating it becomes. Remember we are not trying to create pressure. We are helping children build confidence through repetition. Focus on Deep Breaths Before Playing When nerves appear, breathing often becomes shallow and quick. Before performing, encourage your child to: Take a slow breath in through their nose Hold for a moment Exhale slowly Repeating this two or three times can help calm the body's natural stress response. Simple techniques often work best. Remember Why They Started When children become focused on "getting it right", they can forget why they began learning in the first place. Before an exam or concert, remind them: How much they have learned How far they have come The pieces they can now play that once felt impossible The goal is not perfection. The goal is to share their music and celebrate their progress. A Final Thought Courage isn't performing without nerves. Courage is performing despite them. Every performance builds confidence, resilience, and self-belief - regardless of the result. And those are skills that extend far beyond music.  If you have any questions we’re always happy to help you make it work. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
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