Piano Practice Guidelines

1. Practice regularly, not all at once.
   Short, consistent daily practice sessions are far more effective than cramming one long session the day before your lesson.
2. Build piano practice into your daily routine.
   Try practicing around the same time each day to create a habit. Some students find it helpful to keep a practice log to track their progress.
3. Review your lesson promptly.
   Begin your practice soon after your lesson while the teacher’s instructions and suggestions are still fresh in your mind.
4. Warm up properly.
   Start each practice session with scales and finger exercises. Just like athletes warm up before a workout, musicians need to prepare their hands and minds for focused practice.
5. Strengthen your technique creatively.
   When practicing technical exercises or tricky sections, vary your approach:

• Play passages staccato instead of legato.
• Use dotted rhythms instead of straight eighth notes to improve control and precision.

6. Focus on problem areas first.
   Don’t just play through your pieces. Isolate the difficult sections, practice them slowly, and gradually build up speed until they feel comfortable and fluent.
7. Practice hands separately.
   Work on each hand alone until you can play the part confidently, then put both hands together. Always pay attention to rhythm, key signatures, and accidentals to avoid practicing mistakes.
8. Use a metronome.
   Practicing with a metronome helps you maintain a steady tempo and builds reliable timing. A metronome is a smart investment for every musician.
9. Enjoy the process!
   Stay positive, believe in your ability to improve, and take pride in your progress. Diligent practice leads to rewarding results — and making music should always be fun!