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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The Christmas holidays bring a wonderful mix of excitement, travel, downtime, and disrupted routines. That’s why many families find piano practice looks a little different this time of year and that’s completely okay. Here are practical, flexible ideas to help your child enjoy music over the break without stress. 1. Recognise That Holiday Routines Are Different Between visitors, late nights, and festive events, practice may not happen the same way it does during the school term. The aim is simply to keep music present, not perfect. If you’re travelling or unsure how much practice to aim for, please feel free to message us we can offer personalised suggestions. 2. Set Realistic, Flexible Goals Instead of a strict schedule, try giving the break a gentle musical focus. Examples families often use: ● A few shorter practice moments throughout the week ● Focusing on one special piece over the holiday ● Following the full practice plan from their teacher, if appropriate ● Simply maintaining familiarity with current pieces There’s no single “right” amount do what works for your family and follow your teacher’s guidance. 3. Make Piano Festive and Fun The holidays are the perfect time to turn music into a joyful part of your celebrations. Fun ideas: ● Learn a festive piece together ● Play duets with siblings or grandparents ● Record a short video to send to relatives ● Create a “musical advent calendar” with tiny daily challenges ● Hold a cosy at-home Christmas mini-recital If you'd like suggestions for holiday-appropriate pieces at your child’s level, just ask us. We love helping with this! 4. Practice Options for Busy Days or Travel If you’re away from the piano, there are still ways to keep musical skills fresh. Try these: ● Rhythm clapping games ● Listening to pieces they’re learning ● Mental practice for older students ● App-based note-reading or rhythm games ● Bringing a small keyboard if it's convenient Let us know your holiday plans and we can tailor some light-touch ideas for your child. 5. Returning to Routine in January Jumping straight back into full practice might feel tough and that’s normal. Support a smooth transition by: ● Starting with shorter sessions ● Revisiting pieces learned before the break ● Setting a fresh, exciting goal for the new term ● Talking about what they enjoyed musically over the holidays At the first lesson back, we’ll happily help rebuild momentum and create a refreshed practice plan. Final Reminder: We’re Here for You Christmas should feel joyful, not pressured. If you’re ever unsure about how to handle practice, what repertoire to choose, or how to keep things fun, you’re welcome to reach out to us at any point. We love supporting your child’s musical journey - in lessons, between lessons, and throughout every season of the year.
As parents, it’s natural to wonder if your child is truly enjoying their piano lessons and moving in the right direction. The signs can be subtle, but once you know what to look for, it becomes much easier to support their musical journey with confidence. 1. Signs Your Child Is Enjoying Their Piano Lessons Children show enthusiasm in many small but meaningful ways: ● They sit at the piano without being reminded. ● They talk about their teacher, lessons, or favourite pieces. ● They hum or sing their music around the house. ● They experiment, “noodle,” or make up their own tunes. These are strong indicators that they feel good about their musical space. If you’re unsure or notice enjoyment fluctuating, feel free to contact us. We can always help reignite interest or refresh their lessons. 2. Signs of Healthy Musical Progress Progress doesn’t always look dramatic often, it’s steady and gradual. Look for: ● Pieces sounding smoother week by week ● Increased accuracy and confidence ● The ability to spot and fix mistakes ● More use of musical expression (dynamics, phrasing, emotion) Some families like to record a piece once a month to see growth. It's a lovely keepsake and a big motivator. But this is just one example; your child’s teacher may have a different method suited to their learning style. 3. When You Might Need to Look a Little Closer Not every dip indicates a problem but some patterns can be worth exploring: ● Reluctance to practise over a long period ● Boredom that lingers, not just for a week ● Frustration with pieces that seems overwhelming ● Wanting to skip lessons repeatedly These signs usually just mean a small adjustment is needed: a new piece, a different practice strategy, or a shift in pace. If you notice these happening, please reach out. We can help troubleshoot quickly, and often the solution is simple. 4. Ways to Support Enjoyment at Home Your role at home is powerful and small actions make a big difference. Try: ● Praising effort (“I love how you kept trying”), not just results ● Asking them to play a favourite section ● Keeping practice relaxed and predictable ● Making a positive space around the piano (no tension or pressure) If you ever need personalised practice ideas, we’re always happy to help. 5. Stay Connected With Us We want your child to thrive and feel proud of their progress. You can always: ● Ask questions during lessons ● Send us a message between lessons ● Request guidance on practice expectations ● Check in if something doesn’t seem quite right We’re on your team let us know how we can support your child’s musical journey.
Children don’t just grow physically - their attention span, emotional awareness, and confidence evolve too. As they move through different ages and stages, their piano learning naturally shifts. Understanding these changes helps you support their musical journey in a way that feels positive and achievable for everyone. Developmental Stages Young children (5-7 years) They learn through play, repetition, and imagination. Short bursts of focus are completely normal, and their progress often shows up in tiny steps that suddenly click all at once. Older children (8-11 years) They begin to take pride in independence and want to understand why things work. They can handle longer pieces and more complex rhythms. Pre-teens & teens This stage can be full of emotions, self-criticism, and identity-building. Music can become an expressive outlet and sometimes a place where perfectionism shows up. How you can help ● Adjust practice expectations as your child matures. ● Celebrate growth over speed. ● Be patient with the natural ups and downs. And remember: If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for their age, feel free to reach out to us we’re always happy to guide you. 2. Balancing Piano With Academic Pressures Schoolwork grows heavier as children get older, and it’s normal for motivation to shift during busy periods. Practice may not look the same during exam weeks and that’s completely okay. Supportive strategies: ● Keep practice short and focused when schedules are tight. ● Create a weekly routine that includes music, even in small doses. ● Let your teacher know when school gets especially intense. We can always adjust lesson content, repertoire, or expectations when we know what your child is juggling. You’re welcome to reach out anytime. 3. Supporting Emotional Ups and Downs Piano challenges students in ways that build resilience but frustration sometimes comes with the process. What helps: ● Validate their feelings (“That part is tricky!”). ● Celebrate their small wins children thrive on noticing their own progress. ● Introduce a “proud moment of the week” ritual. If emotional blocks persist, message us or mention it in lessons. Sometimes one small adjustment from the teacher can make a big difference. 4. Keeping Piano Fun and Personally Meaningful Children stay engaged when they connect with their music. Try adding: ● A piece they choose each term ● Music from films, games, or artists they love ● Creative tasks like composing or improvising ● Duets with siblings or parents If you’re ever unsure what repertoire would excite your child, ask us if we're happy to personalise suggestions. 5. Stay Connected With Your Teacher Piano progress is a partnership. As your child grows, their needs change and we’re here to support every stage. You can: ● Check in with us once a term ● Reach out between lessons with small questions ● Let us know about school stress, emotions, or changes at home We’re always here to help your child flourish at the piano.
