Reshmi Patel • August 14, 2020

Practicing Away From the Piano

If we are travelling or away from our piano is there a way we can still practice? Absolutely! 

In this blog post we’ll provide you with practical tips to help you keep on track with your finger techniques so that when you DO return to the piano your fingers won’t have lost too much control, strength or mobility. 

1) Finger Lift Exercise

As seen in the image you can do this at your convenience on a desk at school or on your table at work.


Firstly, place your hand on the surface and ensure that your fingers are curved (as if you were shaking someone’s hand) and ensure your wrist lies flat. ⁠

 

Then, one at a time, lift each finger up without moving the other ones. 

 

If this becomes too easy for you, try lifting each finger several times before moving onto the next one.

 

Once you’ve done this, repeat this exercise exactly the same way with your other hand. ⁠

 

2)   Study the Score

When you are analysing your sheet music, have a look out for the following:


·        Key Signature

·        Accidentals

·        Rhythmic variations

·        Dynamic variations

·        Forms of articulation

·        Changes in the pitch

·        Type of finger patterns

·        Changes in the hand position


If you are studying a piece you have currently played on your piano, identify where you are stumbling out of time and work out why it’s going wrong, then decide how you are going to fix it.



3)   Clapping or Tapping Rhythms

Music teachers tend to encourage their students to feel a sense of pulse or to focus on the sense of the rhythm in their music. One way you can do this is to find a piece of music and tap or clap the rhythm of the notes. You can either count out loud or in your head whilst you are completing this exercise. If you are struggling with either of these, try listening to a metronome before or whilst you are practicing.


Once a student or performer plays with good awareness, knowledge and understanding of this aspect of time it has a very audible effect on their interpretation of the music.


4)   Visualisation

‘Visualisation’ is a technique used to form a mental image and replicate certain behaviour.


This is something top athletes and musicians do before taking part in competitions and is a powerful way to focus the mind!


Visualization is really quite simple. First, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and imagine — in as vivid detail as you can at the process and the final result of your desired act.


To gain the most out of visualisation try to:


·        Pick the right time and place

 

Somewhere you can switch off and focus deeply. This should also be somewhere with as few distractions as possible.

 

·        Focus on your breathing

 

Before you begin try to ensure you maintain a regular breathing pattern and release any tension in your body.

 

·        Regain control of your attention

 

Focus on one thing. Whether that’s your instrument or hand position. Begin to picture this in your mind. You can then add more images as and when you feel comfortable.

 

·        Use all of your senses

 

Although the term ‘visualisation’ implies using our visual senses, according to leading performance psychologists: ‘you should be so immersed in a mental image that it seems as if it is actually happening.’ For this reason, we recommend using as many senses as possible.

 

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.

Why Do We Encourage Every Child to Perform in Piano Concerts

July 19, 2026
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!

Why It's Healthy to Review Your Child's Activities - But Not Compare Them

July 16, 2026
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! 

Are Summer Booster Piano Classes or Camps Worth It

July 13, 2026
As summer approaches, many parents ask:  "Should my child take a break from piano, or keep learning over the holidays?" The answer will be different for every family, but one thing is clear: long summer breaks can make it harder for children to regain confidence and momentum when lessons resume. That's where summer booster classes can help. Why Do Children Benefit From Summer Learning? Like many skills, piano develops through consistency. After several weeks away from the instrument, children often need time to rebuild: Finger strength and coordination Reading confidence Familiarity with pieces Practice routines A small amount of learning over the summer can make returning in September feel much easier. A Booster Class Isn't About Doing More Many parents hear the word "booster" and imagine intensive learning. In reality, it's about reinforcing what your child already knows while introducing a few new ideas in an enjoyable way. Children often leave feeling refreshed and motivated rather than overwhelmed. Who Are Booster Classes Suitable For? Summer booster classes can benefit children who: Would like to maintain progress over the holidays. They have recently started lessons and are building confidence. Are preparing for a performance or exam later in the year. Simply enjoy music and would like an extra opportunity to learn. They're also a great option for children who have been away on holiday and would like a gentle refresher before the new term begins. How Parents Can Make the Most of Summer Alongside booster classes, you can: Keep practice short and enjoyable. Listen to piano music together. Encourage your child to play favourite pieces for family. Celebrate consistency rather than perfection. A Final Thought Summer doesn't have to be about choosing between intensive learning and taking a complete break. Sometimes, one or two well-timed booster sessions are enough to maintain confidence, strengthen skills and help children return to lessons feeling excited for the new term. 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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