If your student is already practicing every day — first of all, that’s amazing. You’ve done the hardest part, which is building the habit. That’s your foundation.
Now it’s time to think about what actually happens during that practice time.
For some kids, practice just flows. They get through their assignments, they’re having fun, and the teacher’s happy. If that’s you, awesome — don’t overthink it.
But many parents like having a guideline for how long practice should last. Some say ten minutes for every year of age, others suggest two to three times their age.
For example:
A 5-year-old = 10–15 minutes
A beginner = about 30 minutes
An advancing student = around 45 minutes
These are just ballpark numbers. The real test is simple: Did they finish what the teacher asked them to do?
Here’s the big thing: it’s not just about time, it’s about quality.
Thirty minutes of staring at an instrument isn’t the same as thirty minutes of focused, intentional practice. Every student’s teacher gives them specific goals — not just what to play, but how to play it.
Encourage your child to focus on the “how.” The effort, attention, and attitude during those minutes matter far more than the total time.
Think of it this way: the daily habit is your “pie dish.” Once that’s in place, you can add the “flour” — the actual practice time.
The goal isn’t to hit a magic number. It’s to help your child grow, stay motivated, and enjoy making music.
Set some practice time goals with your student — but also, sit with them and see what they’re doing with that time. Ask their teacher for help with structuring both what and how they’re practicing.
You’ll be amazed how much more they get out of the same 30 minutes when quality comes first.
This video is a summary from Practice Pie, a resource full of parent tips and tricks for making music practice work at home. You’ll find links to the full video and the book in the description below.
See you next week for more ways to make practice stick!
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