Key Sounds UK • October 21, 2018

PRODUCTIVE PRACTICE

How much does practice really matter?

Through past experiences and networking with dozens of highly experienced musicians from composers to conductors to teachers to instrumental musicians, we concluded that in an average week it takes 80% practice time and 20% lesson time.

How can we get the most out of ‘practising’ then?

One could sit down at their instrument every day for 60 minutes and be completely UNPRODUCTIVE. This could mean wasting time deciding what they are going to practice, what the aims and objectives of their practice session will be or just doing anything but progressing in the time allocated to them.

Trying to wing a practice session is a recipe for disaster. I’ve experienced this before and seen it happen far too many times!

Whether you are practising theories or a piece of music and prior to this session you decide what you are going to focus on and how much time or which days you will allocate to this then you will find your practice session much more useful and PRODUCTIVE as you won’t be wasting planning time.

In terms of the quantity of practice one should be doing, if you have a look at the second image on the right by ‘Musicnotes’ this clearly illustrates the difference the quantity of practice can make over the course of a decade or so.

The key here is to HAVE A PLAN and break this down into manageable and actionable chunks.

Studies show that the most successful musicians cultivate the following practice habits:

  1. Keep their piano in a location where they will see it regularly (e.g. their hallway or bedroom)
  2. Operate on a schedule
  3. Break goals into manageable chunks
  4. Warm up
  5. Record themselves

Sometimes it can be difficult to rectify the small mistakes in your playing, so recording yourself and listening back to this can provide you with a clearer understanding as to what does and doesn’t need improving. The top tip we always give is to practice what you don’t know, as opposed to what you do know. This in itself is a mental challenge just as much as it is a physical one, but it’s what really makes a piece or element of music sound complete as well as teach the musician what they are really capable of.

How can we make the most out of our lessons then?

Something we don’t usually realise until later on down the line is that lessons can be more productive if they are seen as check-ins, providing the student has practised effectively prior to that lesson. This means that any struggles or doubts one is having they should use in this 20% of their time to ask for help and learn how to find a solution to their problem(s).

The toughest part is of course the sitting down and getting to work, but we encourage to find a way that works for you. Of course, there will be days where you don’t want to get up but it is on these days that will separate those who work as and when they please compared to those who go that extra mile.

For more tips and tricks follow us on Instagram: @keysoundsuk or Facebook: www.facebook.com/keysoundsuk

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Another Route For Young Beginners to Learn the Songs They Love on the Piano

June 30, 2025
We hear this often from parents: “My child loved the first few videos but then it all went off-track.” Most free and paid piano content online doesn’t follow a clear path. It might teach one song well, but the next video jumps to something completely different, leaving kids (and parents!) unsure what to do next. For a beginner, that lack of direction can be discouraging. That’s why we’ve created a course for 5–8 year olds that keeps things simple and consistent. Launching at the end of July, it teaches foundational knowledge in small, achievable steps starting with letter names and hand placement, and progressing to slow and fast play with recognisable songs your child will actually want to learn. The result? Clear progression and a real sense of achievement. If you’d like to find out more or see if it’s the right fit for your child, just send us a message. We’re happy to talk through how the course works and how you can get involved. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact Find out more about our course 'Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players' here: https://stan.store/reshmipatel_/p/five-favourite-songs-for-beginner-piano-players

Beginner Piano Players Frustrations and How to Fix Them

June 23, 2025
If your child has bounced between piano apps, videos, or beginner books, you’re not alone. Many parents tell us the same thing: “They were excited at first, but then it faded.” The reason? Most courses aren’t designed with young children in mind. They move too quickly, expect too much too soon, or lack the structure kids need to feel like they’re making real progress. At this age, children learn best when lessons feel familiar, repetitive in a good way, and include songs they recognise and love. That’s the thinking behind our new online course for 5–8s, launching this July. It’s built around how young kids actually learn slow, clear steps; songs they already enjoy; and a friendly guide through every hand movement, letter name, and rhythm. If you're looking for something a bit more thoughtful than YouTube scrolling and random tutorials, feel free to reach out. We'd love to tell you more and help you see if this fits your child’s learning style. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact Find out more about our course 'Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players' here: https://stan.store/reshmipatel_/p/five-favourite-songs-for-beginner-piano-players

From App to Actual Progress: When It's Time for a Real Piano Teacher

By Reshmi Patel • June 16, 2025
Piano apps are a brilliant way to get children engaged. They're interactive, colourful, and often the first step toward a real interest in music. At Key Sounds UK, we’ve seen many young learners light up with motivation after spending time on apps. They can boost early excitement, especially for beginners or those still deciding if piano is “their thing.” But for all their benefits, apps can only take a student so far. While they’re great for practising basics or learning short tunes, most apps don’t cover the foundational skills that support real, long-term progress like proper technique, musical interpretation, or deeper theory understanding. Many of these aspects are important for both students eventually interested in exams or interested in learning for expression. Students often hit a wall, becoming frustrated or bored when they don’t know how to move forward. That’s where a skilled, in-person teacher makes the difference. We don’t just teach songs we connect the why behind the music and adapt lessons in real-time to how a child learns best. Action Tips for Parents: ● If your child is using a piano app, ask what they’ve learned beyond the notes. Are they just copying movements, or do they understand what they’re doing? ● Not keen on apps? A simple trick: play your child’s favourite song followed by the word “piano” on YouTube or Spotify. Just listening and engaging rhythmically can spark interest and improve timing. ● If they’ve started learning via app and are now plateauing, book a trial package with us. We specialise in helping students connect the dots between what they’ve learned online and what they can achieve in person. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
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