Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Practice Skills by Level, Part 1: Beginners

1/15/2023

4 Comments

 
Picture
Teaching students how to practice is an important part of our role as music educators. However, as our students mature and progress at the piano, their practice routines will change--as will the skills they need to be able to practice efficiently and effectively.

This spring on my blog, I will be sharing a four-part series on teaching practice skills to students at each level of development. These articles will feature my best tips and tricks for how to help students learn to practice efficiently and in an age-appropriate and level-appropriate way.

​Today's article is all about practice skills for beginners! Keep reading to see more...

My motto for teaching beginners how to practice? It all comes down to teaching the concept of "thoughtful repetition."

At the elementary level, students should be learning that practice is something that needs to be done consistently, and "practicing" a piece is very different from simply "playing" a piece one time through.

However, we also want to look for ways to make practicing enjoyable, so that it becomes a special part of each day that students look forward to--not just another chore to check off their list.

Here are my best practice tips for beginners:

1. Help students and parents establish a practice routine.
Work with parents to find a time when students can practice free from interruptions or distractions. Before school, after school, after dinner…choose a time that students can set aside for piano practice on a daily basis so that practice becomes an expected part of their routine.

2. Focus on task-based practice, instead of time-based practice.
Parents often ask how many minutes each day students should be practicing. However, quantity does not necessarily equal quality when it comes to practicing!

I find it much more helpful to give beginners a list of 3 to 4 short activities they can do each day as part of their practice routine. These activities can include, for example: doing a warm-up exercise, practicing a new piece (more on that below), reviewing a repertoire piece, listening to a piece of music, playing a theory game or app, etc. 

Keep the tasks short and clearly worded in your student's assignment book. And don't forget to make sure that parents are aware of what tasks your student should be doing each day so they can provide help and support as needed.

3. Model good practice habits as part of every lesson.
This is a good idea for students at every level, but especially for beginners who are still learning what “practice” entails. 

During the lesson, take students through a sample “practice session” so they know exactly what they should be doing at home. Go through each task on their assignment sheet together and have students check it off the list as you complete it. 

I also find it helpful to mark each assigned piece in a book with a sticky note so that students (and parents) can find the correct page in their books quickly and easily.

4. Work on “thoughtful repetition.”
Practice does involve playing pieces multiple times. However, mindless repetition doesn’t benefit anyone!

I like to show students how fun it can be to play a piece many different ways. Here is just a sampling of some of the ways you can ask students to practice a piece:
  • Clap and count the rhythm.
  • Play and name each note.
  • Play and count out loud.
  • Play and sing the words. 
  • Play and say each finger number.
  • Play the piece up high on the piano, then down low on the piano.
  • Play the piece loud, then soft.
  • "Play" the piece silently, on the closed piano lid, and imagine the sound of the notes.
  • Play along with a backing track or duet part.

As you can see, there is no shortage of creative practice tasks you can give your students. Variety is the spice of life, and this is especially true when practicing! 

And speaking of practice tasks....

5. Practice through play.
Did you know that play-based learning has been shown to boost not only enjoyment when learning, but to increase brain development and skill acquisition as well?

Finding ways to "gamify" practice tasks is a great way to turn beginning students into enthusiastic practicers. A few ideas you might try: 
  • Ask students to roll dice and play a measure or line of music that number of times.
  • Small toys, like legos or action figures, make great practice counters to encourage students to practice a piece more than one time.
  • Stuffed toys make great “practice buddies” for young students. Students might enjoy playing a piece for their favorite toy, or even taking suggestions and directions from their toy as well (instead of from a teacher or parent!).
  • And, of course, there are a variety of music apps and games designed to help students with concepts like rhythm, note names, keyboard geography, and more. 

6. Encourage the support and involvement of family and friends on a regular basis.
  • Ask students to teach a piece to a parent or older sibling. This is a great way to build confidence and help students review what they have learned.
  • Put a "tip jar" on the piano at home where parents can put in a dollar or a treat and request a piece from a student’s repertoire list that they would like to hear.
  • Do regular Zoom performances for grandparents and extended family who live far away.
  • Plan a special "bring a friend" day, where students can bring a friend to lessons and show off what they have learned. 

What do you think? What tips and tricks have you found helpful for teaching your beginners how to practice? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
4 Comments
Michelle
2/5/2023 03:50:05 pm

Really useful practice hints

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
2/5/2023 04:17:20 pm

Thank you so much, Michelle! I am glad they were helpful!

Reply
Marian link
11/1/2023 09:49:03 am

I agree with Michelle: Great hints!

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
11/1/2023 12:25:11 pm

Thanks so much, Marian! I am glad these were helpful!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Sports Themed Resources
    Summer
    Summer Challenge Calendars
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2016-2025 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.
Photos from hyekab25, Giancarlo - Foto 4U, geraldbrazell, djordjemiladinovich, Rosmarie Voegtli, barnimages.com, brownpau, magicatwork, wuestenigel