Ideally students should practice daily but we know that life can get busy. Set a realistic goal for your practice, such as 4 sessions per week, and do your best to achieve it. The length of each session will vary depending on the age and level of the student. A 4 year old who is just starting might try to spend 10-15 minutes per session, a 10 year old novice player might spend 30 minutes per day while an adult who is playing at a high level and has been enrolled in Toronto piano lessons for years might spend over one hour. The most dedicated pianists will likely spend even more time, practicing up to 8 hours per day!
During practice time, it is always better to take pieces section by section, focusing on the difficult parts. Often, students will practice the entire song, repeating the same mistake over and over every time that section comes up. This is ineffective and practice time should be spent correcting these mistakes instead of repeating them! Students who have graduated past the initial stages of their piano lessons in Toronto will be playing pieces with both hands. Remember to learn the parts separately before trying to put them together. It is always better to practice (almost) daily for less time per session than it is to practice for 2 hours the day before your lesson. Always remember that learning piano is a skill that requires lots of time, dedication and patience. If you feel tired or are experiencing physical pain, take a break and come back to it when you’re feeling ready.