The Secrets of Power Piano Practice

One of the best ways to improve your child’s progress is to improve the quality of their practice sessions.

For many students, a practice session consists of simply sitting down at the piano and playing their favorite piece from start to finish as fast as they can.

The secret to getting the most out of each practice session is to have a general structure for each session. You should discuss this with your child’s piano teacher to identify a structure that is consistent with their approach to teaching.


To show you how this works, let me share with you the structure I recommend to my students.

ACTIVITY #1: Fun Warm Up

A good way to start a practice session is for students to play their favorite piece for fun. This is really just to get their fingers moving and to get the session off to an enjoyable start. You should not make a big deal of any mistakes made during the warm up.

ACTIVITY #2: Technical Work

Technical work consists of exercises that help a child develop the coordination and technique they require to play the piano. When a child is just starting out, these exercises usually consist of simple patterns which help children learn to move their fingers.

ACTIVITY #3: Focus Piece / Focus Exercise

Rather than playing all their pieces, I suggest that at each practice session a student selects one piece to focus on. In addition to focusing on one piece, I recommend that the student focus on one particular exercise for the selected piece.

There are many different exercises that can be used to ensure that each session is different and engaging. Here are some of the exercises I use with my students:

Divide and conquer – This simply means that the student divides the piece up into different sections and concentrates on a particular section during each practice session. By practicing and perfecting small sections of a piece, students progress much more quickly than if they try and practice the whole piece each time they play.

Hands Separate – Another good exercise is to practice only the left hand or only the right hand of a piece. This is much easier than playing hands together and it is a good way to ensure that the child’s left hand is not neglected.

Vary The Tempo(speed) – In this exercise, the student plays the selected section at a slow manageable tempo in strict time with a metronome. When they can play the section without a mistake, they are allowed to increase the tempo by one notch. If they make a mistake the metronome has to go down a notch. This can become a bit like a game of snakes and ladders and is a lot of fun.

Vary The Dynamics – The dynamics of a piece relate to how the music changes in volume. It is an excellent idea to occasionally vary the dynamics of a piece so that a student becomes familiar with how it feels to play loud and soft. You can also ask a child to play a piece with different moods eg. Happy or Sad. This helps children learn that there is more to playing piano than simply pressing keys.

Record Your Child Playing – It can be a lot of fun for children to hear a recording of themselves playing. It is also an excellent idea to keep some recordings so that occasionally you and your child can sit down and listen to old recordings and appreciate just how far they have progressed.

ACTIVITY #4: Sight Reading

Sight Reading is the ability to pick up a piece of music you have never seen before and play it simply by reading the music.

Sight reading is a skill that students of all ages struggle with. I believe that much of this struggle is due to the fact that many students are not really taught how to read music.

Learning the note names and keyboard positions of the piano is not very exciting. It is simply a matter of rote learning -- very much like learning the times tables.

This is why I developed ‘Piano Is Fun’. The idea was to make the process fun by breaking it down into easy to manage sections and then providing students with an incentive to progress by rewarding them with colorful rewards each time they complete a lesson.

When students are just beginning to play piano, I suggest that each practice session end with a game of Piano Is Fun.

This not only motivates students to concentrate during the practice session, it also acts as a reward and is a great fun way to bring a practice session to an end.

You will probably notice that I did not put a time against each of these activities. As you have probably gathered. I do not like to regiment practice sessions using a stopwatch. I simply instruct parents to ensure that each practice session contains the four previously mentioned activities.

Lets stop and have a think about this for a moment. Picture two imaginary students. One named Tim and the other named Melinda.

Each time Tim practices he sits down at the piano and plays his favorite pieces from start to finish for half an hour.

Each time Melinda practices she does the following:

(1) Warms up with a fun piece
(2) Plays some technical finger exercises
(3) Selects a single piece and focuses on improving a particular aspect of that piece
(4) Finishes off by playing a game that helps her learn how to read music

Which student do you think will progress more quickly? I can tell you from experience that students who practice in a structured manner generally progress much more rapidly than students who practice in a random fashion.

It is important to remember that different teachers will have different ideas when it comes to how students should practice. The ideas above are some of the things I have found useful over the years with my own students.

You may like to print this article out and take it along to discuss with your child’s piano teacher. That way you can ask them how they would like your child to practice at home.

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How To Find The Right Piano Teacher

Learning to play the piano is like taking a journey.

On this journey every student encounters a number of imposing mountains that they must cross in order to reach their destination. There are also many traps and dangers along the way.


The best way to ensure the success of any journey is to hire a guide. The ideal guide is someone who has made the trip many times before. They know the best way to go. They know many hidden shortcuts and they know how to avoid the dangers along the way.

The piano student’s guide on their musical journey is of course their piano teacher.

Selecting the right piano teacher is one of the most critical decisions you can make. If you choose the right teacher, you greatly increase the chance that your child will go on to make the piano a part of their life. If you choose the wrong teacher, you can jeopardize your child’s musical journey before it has even begun.

The five most important questions that you should ask when looking for a piano teacher are:

QUESTION #1: Do They Relate Well To Children?

One of the most common mistakes parents make when looking for a piano teacher is that they look for the teacher with the best reputation and qualifications as a pianist.

It is very important to be aware that being a great pianist does NOT necessarily make someone a great teacher.

What you are really looking for is someone who is great with kids and who loves teaching.

I read recently that aside from direct family relationships, the longest relationship many people develop during their life is with their music teacher!

This is certainly true in my case. I spent 8 years with my teacher and during that time he became not only a teacher but also an advisor, confidant and friend.

This is what you want to find for your child – A teacher who can become their friend.

QUESTION #2: Do They Create A Positive Environment?

As we saw in Part 1 of this mini course. It is important to create a positive environment for your child to learn and grow as a musician.

Just as there are parents who adopt the Army Sergeant Major approach to practice, there are also teachers who adopt a disciplinarian approach to teaching. It never ceases to amaze me how many adults I meet who recount stories of being slapped across the hands with rulers and being verbally abused for not doing their piano practice. It is little wonder that most of these adults gave up playing piano.

Remember what you are looking for in a teacher is someone who creates an atmosphere of fun and excitement for your child.

QUESTION #3: Do They Have A Professional Piano Studio?

Your child’s teacher should have a professionally organized studio which offers a range of activities and games to enrich your child’s development.

One important question to ask prospective teachers is whether they have a computer lab. Today there are many wonderful computer programs available that help children learn to play piano.

QUESTION #4: Do They Have The Appropriate Qualifications?

In addition to relating well to children, it is important to ensure that the teacher you select does have the appropriate qualifications to teach piano. When you meet a prospective teacher you should ask to see their qualifications.

QUESTION #5: Are They Passionate About Music?

Your child’s attitude towards music will reflect the attitude of their teacher so it is important to find a teacher that loves what they do rather than someone who is teaching just to pay the bills. You can gauge a teacher’s level of enthusiasm using the questions you will find in the next section.
How To Find The Right Teacher For Your Child

The best way to start your search is to ask your friends and acquaintances whether they know of a good piano teacher in your local area.

What you really want to hear is, “My daughter’s piano teacher is great with kids. The kids just love her…”

Not, “My daughter’s piano teacher is an international concert pianist.”

Don’t get me wrong, it is possible to find a teacher who is a great pianist and a great teacher, but just remember what you are really looking for is a great teacher.

When you have a list of a few possible teachers, you should contact them and ask if they offer a free trial lesson. Some teachers will, some won’t. It often depends on how busy they are.

If a teacher does not offer a free trial lesson, ask whether you and your child can come and observe a lesson with an existing student. If a teacher says no to both of these requests then move on to the
next name on your list.

When you go along to either the free trial lesson or the observation lesson, take careful note of the following:

• How does the teacher interact with children?
• How do children interact with the teacher?
• Do the children seem to enjoy the lesson?
• Does the teacher seem to enjoy the lesson?
• How does the teacher handle a child’s mistakes?
• If you are having a free lesson, take note of how your
• child reacts to the teacher. Can you can imagine the two
• of them becoming friends?

After observing the above points, ask the prospective teacher the following questions:

• What qualifications do they have?
• Do they offer a computer lab?
• Do they organize regular recitals?
• Do they organize end of year concerts?
• Do they have group lessons and activities?
• Do they enjoy teaching?
• How will they work with you to help your child at home?

Don’t be afraid to let prospective teachers know that you are trying out a few teachers in the area. It is in the best interest of everyone that you find the best match between teacher and student.

Remember you are looking to establish a relationship that may last for many years so it is worth taking a bit of time to get it right.

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Teaching Your Child About Music

For the past several years a theory called the Mozart Effect has been gaining ground among those that study child behavior and many are surprised at what can be accomplished thanks to a little bit of classical music.


The theory’s author, Dr. Alfred Tomatisin, believed that when music is introduced as early on as the late stages of pregnancy it has the ability to set them above their peers both mentally and physically.

In regards to why many believe Mozart is the musician of choices, Tomatisin believed that “The structural and not overly emotional expression (of Mozart’s work) helps clarify time/space perception. It is not over stimulating and the structures of the rondo, sonata-allegro form, and variation form are basic ways in which the brain becomes familiar with the development and familiarity of ideas.”

The theory also suggests that a child’s music education should not stop at simply listening, but that learning a musical instrument is even more valuable. According to recent studies on children and music education:

• First graders that were given daily lessons on how to play an instrument regularly scored higher on creativity tests
• Students who have been taught to play an instrument have the ability to make decisions faster than those that were never taught to play music
• Teens that were taught an instrument at an early age were 73% less likely to have discipline problems
• Playing an instrument requires a level of concentration in a young child that is later translated in their ability to focus on homework and test taking.

While the reasons behind teaching the benefits of music and how to play an instrument at an early age are clear, for many parents knowing the best way to accomplish the task can be difficult. Long before a child is ever able to handle an instrument their education can begin by surrounding them with music.

As we’ve seen with the Mozart Effect, it’s never too early to begin exposing a child to different styles of music. As the child begins to crawl and make their way around the house, take their curiosity for new sounds and show them how to create short rhythms. Whether it is a simple clap of the hand or the bang of a metal pot with a wooden spoon, encourage the child to express his or her self by participating in the impromptu jam session right along with them.

If the child is a toddler take their love for coloring, pasting, and cutting and show them what it’s like to create a musical instrument of their own. A paper plate, a handful of string, and few bells can easily be combined to create a tambourine. Meanwhile some rubber bands and an empty tissue box can be transformed into a working guitar in minutes. Not only will the child benefit from making something with their own two hands, but the instruments will provide a lesson on how music is created.

Radio, CD’s, and television are each ways to expose your child to a variety of musical styles, but for toddlers who are expressing an interest in a particular instrument nothing beats the experience of a live concert. Once the concert is over, quiz the child on what parts was their favorite and find out if a particular instrument stood out in their mind from all the rest. Ask them if they would like to learn more about the instruments they saw and possibly take lessons.

By introducing your child to music at an early age you are teaching them the joy of creating something that is uniquely theirs. This love of music will follow your new baby from the time they are born through their adulthood as they learn to focus on the tasks at hand, make decisions faster, and avoid issues with discipline. In no time both parent and child will learn that the ability to play an instrument is a gift that will last an entire lifetime.

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How To Introduce Your Child To The Amazing World of Music

The key to helping your child succeed in playing the piano is to expose them to a wide range of fun and exciting musical experiences.

Here are some ideas to help you get started:



IDEA #1: Go To Concerts

For a child, the process of getting dressed up and going to see a concert in a professional auditorium can be a life changing event.

I can still remember the thrill of seeing my first concert when I was four years old. My Mom and Dad took me to see a production of ‘Peter And The Wolf’. Sitting between my parents and seeing an orchestra for the first time was like looking down onto a different world.

In addition to classical concerts, expose your children to musicals, jazz, folk music and ballet. The more the better but remember to keep it simple. The concerts shouldn’t be too long or complex.

After each concert, stop off for a snack on the way home and discuss the concert with your child. Ask them what they liked and what they didn’t like.

This does not have to cost you a lot of money either. Keep an eye out for free concerts being performed by community or student groups. Even professional orchestras and dance companies often have special price concerts for children.

Children playing musical instruments in Scotland. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/Murdo Macleod

IDEA #2: Listen To Music In Your Car

Young children are like sponges. They are constantly absorbing information from the world around them. One of the best ways to help your child develop their ‘musical ear’ is to play classical music in the
car while you go about your daily activities.

IDEA #3: Celebrate Achievements

When your child achieves a milestone such as playing at a concert, do something special to celebrate their achievement.

One idea for rewarding your child is to buy them a book and make a little certificate on your computer to paste on the inside cover.

This is a great way to let your child know that that you value their hard work and that you are proud of what they have achieved.

IDEA #4: Get Your Child To Play At Family Events

Once your child has been playing for a little while, ask their teacher if they can learn to play happy birthday.

Then next time it is someone ’s birthday, get your child to play the piano while everyone sings. Not only will this be a very special present for the person who is celebrating their birthday, it will also give your child a real sense of self-confidence and importance.

IDEA #5: Have A Movie Night At Home

Create a fun family event by hiring a musical video or dvd. Buy some microwave popcorn and make a big deal of closing the curtains, bringing out some cushions to sit on and making your lounge room into a mini cinema.

Some of the classic musical movies include:

The Sound Of Music
Mary Poppins
The Wizard Of Oz
Jungle Book

Remember the key to making this work is not really the movie. It is the fact that the whole family is sitting down together with popcorn and a drink and sharing the fun of the music.

I hope these ideas will get your creative juices flowing. Any fun activity which involves music will help your child to develop their sense of musicality and help them to appreciate having music in their life.

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