How often should a student be practicing? It is a common question we receive from parents and older students alike. And while there is no definitive answer, practice is a crucial part of the music educational journey. So, please keep reading to find out what we recommend!
— February 25th, 2021
All students should practice at least five-six days a week. How long each daily session is, depends on the child’s age. Typically speaking, young children, ages 3 and 4, should be practicing for about 10 minutes. Five- and six-year-olds should extend it to 15 minutes, seven- and eight-year-olds, 20 minutes, and nine- and ten-year-olds, 25 minutes.
Older children, ages 11 through 14, should devote a full half of an hour to their practices.
The time suggestions listed above are merely that! They are also subject to change due to an upcoming audition or performance. In the case in which your child has, for instance, a recital coming up, you could extend the daily practice time to make sure he/she is ready!
It is important to note that practice time suggestions could also change based on your long-term goals. For instance, if you have a 15-year-old teenager who wishes to audition for the Juilliard School, then his/her practice habits will be different from the 10-year-old who plays piano for fun or as a hobby.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that you need to practice! Music lessons will go a long way. But, without practice, it will be hard for your child (or you) to advance.
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This article is a re-post, with small modifications, of “Kids’ Piano Lessons: How Often Should My Child Practice?” an article published on takelessons.com
