Reshmi Patel • April 12, 2021
Playing versus Practicing the Piano
Often students who are new to the piano will do a mixture of ‘playing’ and ‘practicing' their piano.
What’s the real difference between these two? Should we always pick one or the other?
When we ‘play’ the piano this means we are playing through your songs and exercises from start to finish. This can be useful before a performance or at the start or end of your practice session. Solely ‘playing’ isn’t productive if you are looking to improve with your technique and to play the songs you love to a high standard.
When we ‘practice’ the piano this means we are actively choosing to play the difficult sections and musical elements. Some examples of these are: octave jump, moving from sharp to natural, trills, counts and rhythms. In the long run this is a productive way to practice your piano as you will grasp the techniques well enough to learn how to play the pieces you love at a faster rate!
Scenario
Monday, 8am-8:45am you are sitting at your piano and your lesson notes advise you to work on bar 3 and 4 dynamic changes. ‘Dynamics’ means volume. The volume changes in bars 3 and 4 are marked as quiet. This means we would press the keys lightly.
Example of Playing
8am-8:45am you play the song from start to finish. – at this stage of your journey this can work well to check off the box but a more productive way would be to practice in order to add in the volume changes and create interest within the piece.
Example of Practicing
8-8:45am you focus on playing bars 3 and 4 as quietly as you possibly can. You repeat this correctly 5-10 times in a row until this feels easy and natural. This would be a productive practice session and the piece is now on its way to sound like a performance.
Example of a combination of Playing and Practicing
8-8:30am you focus on playing bars 3 and 4 as quietly as you possibly can. You repeat this correctly 5-10 times in a row until this feels easy and natural.
8:30am-8:45am you play the song from start to finish and include the quieter section in bars 3 and 4.
This method works well if you have been able to practice the section you were struggling on within the given time frame. If not, keep on practicing until you have truly mastered the element you have been struggling on. Then try to play slightly more of the section or piece.
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.
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“We’ve been doing lessons for a while… but how do I know if it’s actually working?” This is one of the most common and completely valid questions parents ask themselves, especially if they’re not musical. Progress in piano doesn’t always look or sound obvious in the early stages. Unlike some activities, results aren’t instant and that can feel worrying when you’re investing time, money, and emotional energy into your child’s learning. The reassuring news? Most healthy musical progress happens quietly before it becomes obvious. Here’s what to realistically expect over time and when not to worry. What Progress Often Looks Like around 3-6 Months(if they began as a beginner) At this stage, progress is mostly about settling in. You might notice: Your child feels more comfortable sitting at the piano They recognise lesson routines They’re starting to listen more carefully, even if notes aren’t perfect What’s normal here: Hesitation Needing reminders and support This isn’t slow progress, it's foundation-building. What Progress Often Looks Like at 7-12 Months This is when progress becomes clearer to most parents. You may notice: Greater independence Less hesitation when playing Improved posture and focus Pride in what they can play Not every child is ready for grades at this stage and that’s perfectly fine.Your child is learning how to learn and that skill takes time. Strong foundations now often lead to faster, more confident progress later. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
“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!
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!
