What Should Parents Expect in the First 90 Days of Music Lessons?

Starting music lessons is exciting—but it can also feel a little uncertain. Many parents wonder what’s normal in the early stages and whether things are going the way they should.

So, what should parents expect in the first 90 days of music lessons?

At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we encourage families to think of the first three months as a foundation-building period. Progress happens, but not always in the ways people expect at first.

Enroll Now

The First 30 Days: Getting Oriented

The first month is largely about adjustment.

Students are learning:

• How lessons are structured
• How to interact with their teacher
• How to hold or approach their instrument
• What practicing actually looks like

During this phase, progress may be subtle. You might notice increased curiosity, better focus during lessons, or your child starting to talk about what they learned—even if the music itself still sounds very basic.

That’s normal.

Days 30–60: Familiarity and Confidence

By the second month, things often begin to feel more comfortable.

Students usually:

• Understand expectations better
• Recognize patterns and basic concepts
• Show improved coordination or rhythm
• Feel more confident walking into lessons

This is also when practice habits begin to either form—or struggle. If practice feels inconsistent, it doesn’t mean lessons aren’t working. It usually means routines are still being figured out.

Days 60–90: Early Reassurance

For many families, the 60–90 day window is when things start to feel reassuring.

You may notice:

• Recognizable songs or sections of songs
• Clearer rhythm and timing
• Improved posture or technique
• Less resistance to practicing

This is often when parents realize that progress has been happening all along—it just wasn’t always obvious in the early weeks.

What Progress Looks Like (and What It Doesn’t)

Progress in the first 90 days doesn’t always mean polished performance.

It often looks like:

• Better understanding
• Increased confidence
• Willingness to try
• Fewer moments of frustration

It rarely looks like mastery—and that’s okay.

It’s Normal to Have Ups and Downs

One important thing to know: progress isn’t linear.

Some weeks feel great. Others feel stagnant. Kids (and adults) go through cycles of excitement, boredom, and renewed interest. This doesn’t mean something is wrong—it’s part of learning any skill.

Practice Expectations in the First 90 Days

Practice should support learning, not become a source of stress.

Early on:

• Short, regular practice is more effective than long, forced sessions
• Review matters more than constant new material
• It’s okay if practice doesn’t sound good yet

The goal is to build comfort and routine, not perfection.

What Parents Can Do to Help

Parents don’t need musical expertise to support progress.

Helpful things include:

• Asking your child to “show you” what they learned
• Keeping practice encouraging, not critical
• Communicating with the teacher if concerns arise
• Giving the process time

The first 90 days are about planting seeds.

What the First 90 Days Are Really For

Those first three months are about:

• Establishing consistency
• Building trust between student and teacher
• Creating positive associations with music
• Laying the groundwork for long-term growth

When families understand this, lessons tend to feel more rewarding and less stressful.

So, What Should Parents Expect in the First 90 Days?

In short:

• Subtle progress before obvious progress
• Comfort before confidence
• Learning curves and adjustment
• Reassurance around the 2–3 month mark

If you ever have questions about how things are going, we’re always happy to talk. Enrollment is flexible, and expectations can evolve as students grow.