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Reshmi Patel • August 2, 2021
How We Can Structure Our Piano Practice Sessions
Once of the most common questions we hear piano students asking is: ‘how do I structure my practice?’ or ‘how do I practice this part of my piece or exercise?’
What students could you practice?
1. Areas you find difficult – your teacher or mentor may have already mentioned this in your last lesson.
2. Areas which you don’t feel confident in just yet.
3. Sections where you are stopping – this often happens in between bars or octave jumps in a piece or exercise.
At times, you will want to do a full run-through of your piece to help you figure out how far you have progressed, and that is understandable! However, that should not happen every single practice session.
How you could experiment with your practice
1. Record yourself
Sometimes when we play the piano, we have several different areas to focus on such as the rhythm, timing, hand changes, dynamic variations and the list goes on. A useful technique we recommend to students is to record themselves practicing the area they have been struggling on and then listen back to hear the changes for themselves. This also helps improve the student’s self-awareness and therefore spot errors faster going forwards.
2. Practice hands separately
Even if you have started playing a piece hands together it can be beneficial to separate the hands. It may be that your right-hand is faster than your left-hand or the rhythms are more complex in the right-hand.
3. Play the music in a different rhythm
Often when we are trying to learn tricky rhythms, we can begin to feel frustrated. A common method we use if a student is struggling is to exaggerate the longer notes and the shorter notes in a bar. For example, if we have a a crotchet (a one count note) we may play this as a quaver (a half count note) and if we have a minim (a two-count note) we may play this as a semibreve (a four-count note). Then over time we practice returning these rhythms back to normal.
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 look around our website or connect with us directly!
If you’re thinking about learning the piano, you might be wondering: should you take lessons online or in person? The good news is that there’s no wrong choice! Both options have their perks, and the best one depends on your learning style, lifestyle, and goals. Let’s break it down! The Perks of Online Piano Lessons Flexibility: Learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Access to Top Teachers: You’re not limited by location—you can study with amazing teachers worldwide. Technology & Tools: Many platforms offer interactive features like video feedback, AI-generated practice recommendations, and virtual sheet music. Affordability: Online lessons can sometimes be more budget-friendly than in-person instruction. The Benefits of In-Person Piano Lessons Immediate Feedback: Your teacher can adjust your posture, hand position, and technique instantly. Accountability: Having a set lesson schedule with a teacher can keep you motivated and consistent. Better Engagement: Some students thrive with in-person interaction and find it easier to focus. Which One is Right for You? If you love flexibility and access to global resources, online lessons might be your best bet. If you thrive on real-time interaction and hands-on guidance, in-person lessons could be ideal. Some students even choose a hybrid approach! Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact .
Piano practice doesn’t have to feel like a chore! Adding an element of play can make it an enjoyable part of your day. 1. Turn practice into a game – use a timer and see how many times you can play a section correctly in five minutes, or create a “practice bingo” card with tasks like “play softly,” “practice scales backward,” or “play standing up.” Reward progress – aim to reward students with small treats or privileges to keep motivation high. 2. Add friendly competition to make practice more exciting. If you have siblings or friends who play, hold mini-recitals or compete to memorize a short piece the fastest. 3. Challenge yourself with personal goals – an example of this could be learning a new song in a week or improvising a melody over a chord progression. 4. Record your sessions and watch your progress – it’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come! 5. Use technology to your advantage – apps like Simply Piano or Flowkey offer interactive, gamified lessons, while YouTube tutorials provide endless inspiration. 6. Play songs you genuinely enjoy – mix favourite pop songs, movie themes, or video game music into your routine alongside classical exercises. A balance of fun and structure keeps practice fresh and exciting—because music should always be enjoyable! Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
How Do I Know When to Change Piano Teacher? Choosing the right piano teacher can profoundly impact a child’s musical journey, but sometimes, the best path forward involves change. Before considering a switch, it’s important to recognize that every teacher brings unique strengths, and not every bump in the road signals the need for a new instructor. Challenges like a tough piece or frustration over progress are natural parts of learning. However, if a student feels consistently unmotivated or a teacher’s methods clash with their learning style, it might be time to evaluate the situation. Signs that it could be time for a change include stagnation in progress: 1. A lack of connection between teacher and student 2. A shift in the student’s goals that the current teacher isn’t equipped to support - for instance, a student focusing on advanced classical repertoire might need a specialist, while a budding songwriter may thrive with someone versed in improvisation or composition. 3. Logistical issues like scheduling or location are creating unnecessary stress - open communication with the teacher can often address these concerns, but sometimes, switching is the best option to reignite a student’s passion for playing. Switching teachers is not a failure; it’s a thoughtful decision to prioritize what’s best for the student’s growth. Musical journeys are deeply personal, and the teacher-student relationship plays a pivotal role in fostering confidence and creativity. If a switch is necessary, approach it with kindness and gratitude for the teacher’s contributions so far. Remember, finding the right teacher is about aligning with the student’s evolving needs, and making that change can be a powerful step toward nurturing a lifelong love for music. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
