Reshmi Patel • August 23, 2021
How We Can Support Students with their Piano Practice
A few weeks ago, in our Key Sounds UK Teacher Brainstorm we explored how we can support our students efficiently with their piano practice.
We started off by exploring the purpose of their journey. For both our younger and adult students we believed that the reason they wish to learn is important. There can be one reason such as: ‘I would love to play Circle of Life from the Lion King’ or perhaps just to use grasp all the transferrable skills which music has to offer for example: increase in self-esteem, consistency, and perseverance.
Regardless of the reason, it is important that we discover as early as possible in a student’s musical journey what truly excites them, from thereon we can then link our teaching to this element.
Our top tips on how to discover your purpose when learning to play an instrument
1) Listen to different genres of music – with your instrument in the piece if you can
2) Ask your teacher to play you a song they make think you enjoy learning
3) Create your own list – either on Spotify, YouTube or writing them down to listen or learn later
Another method we have used to support our students are practice charts. This is when students write when and what they practiced alongside how they felt this went for them. As teachers we can then see which areas they are focusing on and identify which areas they find easier and difficult outside of their lessons too. Here is an image students can use to keep track of their practice in between their music lessons:
Second to last, we went on to explore rewards and incentives for students. This is particularly useful for younger students but can also support adults too. Perhaps rewarding a student once they have practiced a certain number of times or once they have completed a difficult piece of music.
Ideas for rewards
1) Lollipop
2) Sticker
3) Trip to watch a live music performance or theatre show
4) A meal at a nice restaurant
5) Time out with friends or family
The final area we discussed was accountability. During our lessons it is easier for the student to feel a sense of flow as their teacher is supporting them, however how can we ensure this also continues once the lesson has finished?
Forms of accountability
1) Performing to friends or family
2) Participating in a concert
3) Sharing with another musician what you have been learning
4) Sending a video to your teacher in between lessons
5) Recording yourself practice and watching this back to see where you can improve
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 don’t play piano yourself, it can be hard to tell whether your child is making progress. Should they be learning new pieces more quickly? Should they have taken an exam by now? Remember progress often shows up in small changes between lessons, long before a piece sounds polished. Look for changes in confidence and independence Notice how your child approaches the piano. Do they remember what their tutor asked them to practise? Can they get started with less prompting? Are they more willing to try again when something feels tricky? Progress can be subtle, and your child doesn’t need to demonstrate it on demand. Try this: At a relaxed moment, ask, “What have you been working on with your tutor lately?” If they’re unsure, look at the lesson notes together. There’s no need to ask them to play for you. Focus on what they are learning, not how many pieces they finish. A child may spend several weeks on one piece because it introduces a new rhythm, technique or way of reading music. That does not mean they have stopped progressing. Learning to slow down, work through a difficult section and gradually play it more confidently is progress too. Try this: Check the lesson notes for one specific goal this week. It might be practising a few bars or watching a video their tutor has shared. You can help your child make time for that goal without needing to correct their playing. Make practice manageable Regular practice helps your child remember what they covered in their lesson. It doesn’t have to mean a long session every day. A few short sessions with a clear focus are easier to build into family life. If practice has been difficult lately, let the tutor know. That helps them suggest a realistic starting point rather than leaving you to work it out alone. Try this: Choose three practice days that fit around your week. When it’s time to practise, help your child find their lesson notes so they know where to begin. Ask the tutor what progress looks like for your child Children learn at different speeds, so comparing your child with a sibling or another student may not tell you much. Their tutor can give you a clearer picture of what has improved and what they are working towards next. You could ask: “What has my child improved on recently? What is their main focus now, and how can we support them at home?” At Key Sounds UK, you can ask your child’s tutor for an update or contact us to arrange a progress call. You don’t need to wait for an exam or concert to find out how they’re doing. The most helpful measure of progress is whether your child is building skills and confidence over time, with a next step that feels achievable for them. 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!
One of the questions we occasionally hear from parents is: "Does my child really need to perform if they're enjoying their lessons?" The short answer is no. A child can absolutely enjoy learning piano without performing. However, concerts provide some lessons alone cannot - and that's why we choose to hold at least four performance opportunities each year. Performance Gives Learning a Purpose Having a performance to work towards helps children: Stay motivated. Develop a sense of achievement. Experience the satisfaction of completing a musical goal. Instead of practising simply because it's part of the routine, children begin preparing to share something they're proud of. Confidence Is Built Gradually Standing in front of an audience can feel daunting. That's completely normal. Confidence isn't something children either have or don't have it grows through positive experiences. Regular performance opportunities allow children to become familiar with: Managing nerves. Recovering from small mistakes. Celebrating progress rather than perfection. Over time, these experiences often transfer into school presentations, speaking confidently in class and other situations beyond music. Families Get to Celebrate the Journey Concerts also give parents a chance to see how far their child has come. Watching performances over time often reveals progress that can be difficult to notice week by week. It's an opportunity to celebrate effort, commitment and growth together. Children Inspire One Another One of the biggest benefits of performing alongside other students is seeing what's possible. Younger children often leave feeling excited after watching older students perform. Older students enjoy becoming positive role models. Rather than creating competition, concerts help build a supportive musical community where everyone is encouraged to do their best. It's Never About Perfection Children aren't expected to perform flawlessly. Our concerts celebrate: Preparation. Courage. Musical growth. Enjoyment. A missed note is quickly forgotten. The confidence gained from stepping onto the stage often lasts much longer. A Final Thought Piano lessons teach children how to play. Concerts help children learn how to share their music with confidence. Together, they develop skills that extend well beyond the piano and that's why we believe regular performance opportunities are such an important part of every child's musical journey. 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!
As parents, it's natural to reflect on the activities your child takes part in. You might wonder: "Are they enjoying it?" "Are they making progress?" "Are we getting good value from it?" These are healthy questions to ask. What can be less helpful, however, is comparing one activity directly with another. After all, football, swimming, dance, coding, art and piano all develop different skills, have different teaching formats and measure progress in different ways. Rather than asking which activity is "better", it can be more useful to ask: "Is this activity helping my child grow in the way we hoped it would?" Every Activity Has Its Own Strengths Sport can develop teamwork, fitness and resilience. Drama can build confidence and communication. Art encourages creativity and self-expression. Music develops concentration, listening, coordination, memory and problem-solving. Each activity has something valuable to offer, and many children benefit from experiencing a variety of them throughout their childhood. The goal isn't to rank them - it's to find the right balance for your child. Progress Doesn't Always Look the Same Some activities have weekly matches. Others have performances. Some use certificates or levels. Others measure progress through confidence, independence or technical skill. That's why comparing one activity with another can sometimes create unrealistic expectations. Instead, ask: Is my child more confident than they were a few months ago? Are they learning new skills? Do they still look forward to attending? Are they developing positive habits? These questions paint a much clearer picture than comparison ever could. What Every High-Quality Activity Should Provide While every club is different, there are some things parents should reasonably expect from any well-run activity. Clear Communication Parents should understand: What their child is working towards. Any important updates or events. How they can support learning at home, where appropriate. Communication doesn't have to be constant - but it should be clear, timely and helpful. Meaningful Feedback Feedback may look different depending on the activity. It might be: Verbal after a lesson. A written report. A conversation at the end of term. A progress review. A coach highlighting one area to focus on next. The format matters less than whether it helps families understand their child's development. . Opportunities to Stay Engaged Every activity has different ways of involving families. For example, this could include: Performances Competitions Open lessons Celebration events Progress meetings Newsletters These opportunities help parents feel connected to their child's journey rather than simply dropping them off each week. Looking at the Bigger Picture Children don't always remember every piece they played, every match they won or every certificate they received. What often stays with them are the habits they developed: Turning up consistently. Learning from mistakes. Working towards long-term goals. Building confidence. Becoming part of a supportive community. These are the qualities that continue long after childhood. A Final Thought It's healthy to review whether an activity is the right fit for your child. But rather than comparing activities against one another, consider whether each one is delivering on its own purpose. When children feel supported, challenged and encouraged, every well-run activity has the potential to make a lasting difference. 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!
