Sample Practice Structure for Piano Students

1.     Warm-Up (5-10 minutes):

·       Begin with warm-up exercises. This can include finger stretches, scales, arpeggios, or simple Hanon exercises. The aim is to loosen the fingers and prepare mentally for the practice session.

2.     Technical Exercises (10-15 minutes):

·       Focus on technical exercises to improve dexterity, finger strength, and hand coordination. Practice scales, chords, and arpeggios in different keys. This helps build a strong technical foundation.

3.     Review of Previous Material (10-15 minutes):

·       Play through pieces or exercises from previous lessons. This reinforces learning and ensures retention of musical pieces and techniques.

4.     Focused Practice on New Material (15-20 minutes):

·       Spend the bulk of the practice session on new material assigned in the latest lesson. Break down challenging sections into smaller parts and work on them slowly, gradually increasing the tempo.

5.     Musicality and Expression (5-10 minutes):

·       Work on the expressive aspects of playing, like dynamics, phrasing, and tempo variations. Experiment with different expressions to enhance the musicality of the pieces you are learning.

6.     Sight-Reading (5-10 minutes):

·       Dedicate a portion of the practice time to sight-reading. Use new material that you haven’t seen before to improve your reading skills. This is important for development.

7.     Ear Training (5 minutes):

·       Engage in ear training exercises. Use the digital resources provided in the following sections, identifying intervals and chords or playing back melodies by ear. These skills are crucial for a well-rounded musicianship.

8.     Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes):

·       End with light playing, maybe a favorite piece or something relaxing. Reflect on the practice session, acknowledging progress and areas needing more work.

9.     Set Goals for Next Practice:

·       Before concluding, set specific goals for your next practice session (Use the SMART Goal sheet). This could include mastering a particular section of a piece, improving technical skills, or addressing any challenges during the current session.

Additional Tips:

• Consistency: Regular practice, even if shorter in duration, is more effective than sporadic, longer sessions.

• Use a Metronome: Helps maintain a consistent tempo and steady rhythm.

• Keep a Practice Journal: Note what you practiced, your progress, and points to focus on next time.

• Stay Flexible: Adapt the structure based on the specific goals and challenges of the current learning phase.

Remember, the quality of practice is often more important than the quantity. Focused, mindful practice yields the best results. Happy practicing!