Key Sounds UK • April 24, 2020

PIANO PRACTICE TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY DURING LOCKDOWN

Not sure where to start when you sit down at the piano? These practice tips will keep you focused on meaningful improvement.

Practising is the most important part of learning and becoming a piano player. Remember these tips to take your practice time to its highest potential!

  • Make a game plan

Ensure that you start each of your practice sessions with a goal in mind. You will find you progress more quickly and effectively.

Try taking some time out to think about what you will be working on for the week. If you learn with a teacher, look at or ask what practice tips they would recommend for you.

Then decide when you can set aside 10-15+ minutes in your day to help you work on these areas.

Remember that practising little and often helps to build muscle memory, so in the long run this is more productive than simply practising once per week.

  • Create atmosphere

Get the right set-up for you. Whether you prefer to concentrate in a quiet practice room or somewhere with more stimulation, try be consistent with your choice. This will help you enter the right mindset when you begin to practise.

  • Study the score before playing

Don’t just play a piece or passage over and over again, and definitely don’t just power through a problem area and ignore it. Identify where you are stumbling out of time and work out why it’s going wrong, then decide how you are going to fix it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teacher or fellow musicians!

  • Actively listening to your piece of music

Whether it’s a recording of yourself or someone else playing the same piece of music or scale that you are learning, this can help you to gain a better understanding of the style of the music.

  • Practice hands separately

If you are learning a piece hands together, it’s a completely different skill to learning it hands separately as you are activating both sides of the brain when you are playing hands together but only one side of the brain when you play hands separately. Try to practice one hand at a time when you initially learn your piece of music and don’t be afraid to do this if one hand it lagging behind even once you have begun practising hands together.

  • Be consistent with your finger patterns

If you notice any repeated note patterns in your music, try to stick to the same finger pattern too. This will help your brain to recognise this section of the music each time you refer back to it and will therefore allow the piece to flow more easily.

  • Enjoy yourself

Whilst we are all locked up inside, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to perform to your household members or even online to your friends and family. Send us through your videos and we’d love to see everyone getting involved!

Use this time to experiment and improve on your piano practice habits and feel free to ask us any questions you may have!

For more tips and tricks follow us on Instagram: @keysoundsuk or Facebook: www.facebook.com/keysoundsuk

How Long Should Piano Lessons Take to "Work

January 23, 2026
“We’ve been doing lessons for a while… but how do I know if it’s actually working?” This is one of the most common and completely valid questions parents ask themselves, especially if they’re not musical. Progress in piano doesn’t always look or sound obvious in the early stages. Unlike some activities, results aren’t instant and that can feel worrying when you’re investing time, money, and emotional energy into your child’s learning. The reassuring news? Most healthy musical progress happens quietly before it becomes obvious. Here’s what to realistically expect over time and when not to worry. What Progress Often Looks Like around 3-6 Months(if they began as a beginner) At this stage, progress is mostly about settling in. You might notice: Your child feels more comfortable sitting at the piano They recognise lesson routines They’re starting to listen more carefully, even if notes aren’t perfect What’s normal here: Hesitation Needing reminders and support This isn’t slow progress, it's foundation-building. What Progress Often Looks Like at 7-12 Months This is when progress becomes clearer to most parents. You may notice: Greater independence Less hesitation when playing Improved posture and focus Pride in what they can play Not every child is ready for grades at this stage and that’s perfectly fine.Your child is learning how to learn and that skill takes time. Strong foundations now often lead to faster, more confident progress later. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

What to Do When Your Child Is Too Tired for Piano Practice

January 16, 2026
“They’ve had a long day… should we still push through practice?” Many parents feel torn between supporting consistency and respecting their child’s energy levels especially during busy school weeks. The truth is: Tiredness doesn’t mean lack of commitment. It often means your child’s brain needs a different approach. Here’s how to handle it without guilt or pressure. It’s reasonable to adjust expectations when: Your child is overwhelmed with school or clubs They’re emotionally exhausted Concentration is unusually low Short, calm practice is far more valuable than long, frustrated sessions. Sometimes: 5 focused minutes beats 20 stressed ones Listening to a piece counts as engagement Talking about the lesson reinforces learning How Teachers Adapt During Busy Periods Good teachers expect fluctuations in energy. During tiring phases, lessons may focus more on: Confidence and comfort Reinforcing known material Gentle technical reminders Enjoyment and connection to music This doesn’t slow progress, it protects it. How Parents Can Communicate This Proactively One of the most helpful things you can say is: “It’s been a heavy week. Please let us know what’s realistic to focus on.” This allows the teacher to: Adjust expectations Support your child emotionally Keep progress aligned without pressure You’re not letting anyone down you’re advocating. What Matters Most Long-Term Children who feel supported (not pushed) are more likely to: Stick with lessons Build confidence Develop a healthy relationship with learning Music is a long journey - not a sprint. A Gentle Reminder for Parents Rest, flexibility, and understanding are not signs you are supporting them.  If you’re unsure how to balance tiredness with consistency, we’re always happy to help you find a rhythm that works for your family. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

How to Spot Piano Progress as a Non-Musical Parent

January 12, 2026
Many parents tell us the same thing: “I want to support my child’s piano learning but I’m not musical, so I don’t know what to look for.” The truth is, you don’t need to read music or play the piano to be a huge part of your child’s progress. What matters most is how you observe, encourage and communicate, not your musical knowledge. Here are three simple, practical ways to stay involved and confident. 1️. Sit In on Lessons (Even Occasionally) You don’t need to attend every lesson -just sitting in from time to time can make a big difference. When you observe a lesson, you begin to notice: How your child is guided to sit and place their hands How the teacher breaks tasks into small, achievable steps The language and cues your child responds to Sit in for 10-15 minutes once every few weeks. This is to absorb rather than to assess. This helps you support practice at home using the same language the teacher uses. 2. Record a “Before vs After” Video One of the clearest ways to see progress - especially for non-musical parents - is through short videos. How it works: Record your child playing a song or exercise Then record the same song or exercise 5–6 lessons later, or on the day the teacher says it’s “finished” You’re not looking for perfection. Instead, notice small but meaningful changes: Confidence: Do they sit more comfortably and start playing more willingly? Hand position: Do they find their starting position more quickly? Flow: Are there fewer pauses or gaps in the music? Even tiny improvements are signs of progress - especially at this stage of learning Keep the video private. This isn’t for comparison with others - it’s simply a reminder of how far your child has come. 3. Set Simple Checkpoint Goals With the Teacher Progress doesn’t always mean “moving up a level”. For younger learners, it often shows up in skills and habits. Setting small checkpoint goals helps you know what to look out for at home. Examples of helpful checkpoint goals: “Starting the piece without help” “Finding hand position independently” “Playing through without stopping” “Feeling confident playing for someone else” Ask the teacher: “What’s one thing we should notice improving over the next few lessons?” This gives you clarity and keeps expectations realistic. A Reassuring Note for Parents At ages 6–8, piano progress is often gradual and subtle and that’s exactly how it should be. Confidence, comfort at the keyboard, and smoother transitions are just as important as notes and rhythms. By observing, recording small milestones, and staying aligned with the teacher, you’re already playing a vital role in your child’s musical journey even if you’ve never played a note yourself.  If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
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