Choosing the Right Lesson Length & Building a Sustainable Practice Routine
By Lisa Maresch, Opus38 Studio
One of the most common questions I hear from new families is:
“How much should my child practice?”
The honest answer is:
It depends on your goals.
Not every student dreams of becoming a concert pianist—and that’s perfectly okay.
Some students simply want to enjoy making music. Others hope to perform, take exams, or prepare for college auditions. The amount of time spent practicing should reflect those goals.
The good news?
Consistency matters far more than perfection.
The Secret Isn’t More Practice—It’s Better Practice
A focused 20-minute practice session four or five days a week is far more effective than practicing for two hours the night before a lesson.
Learning piano is a bit like learning a language or playing a sport. Small, regular sessions allow the brain to build skills over time.
Parents Matter More Than You Think
Especially during the first several years, learning piano is a family commitment.
My own mother played a tremendous role in my musical journey. She reminded me to practice, encouraged me on difficult days, and helped make music part of our family’s routine.
Eventually, something changed. Practice stopped feeling like homework and became something I wanted to do. I would sit at the piano for hours simply because I loved discovering new music.
That transformation doesn’t happen overnight—but it begins with consistency.
Choosing the Right Lesson Length
Every student is different. During your consultation, we’ll recommend lesson lengths based on:
- Age
- Experience
- Attention span
- Practice availability
- Musical goals
- Family schedule
- These are simply guidelines—every student’s journey is unique.
| Practice Per Week | Length of Time Per Practice | Purpose of Taking Lessons | Progress | Musical Impact on Student |
| 6-7 Days | 1 hr-3 hrs | Passionate about piano Participate in concerts Competitions Summer programs Piano exams Piano festivals | YES | May major in music for high school or college Lifelong skills Play as an adult Musical events continue to be a big part of their lives |
| 4-5 Days | 30-60 minutes | Loves to play piano Participate in concerts Piano exams Piano festivals | YES | Enjoys music and lessons Makes improvement each week Develops positive self-esteem Enjoys music into adulthood |
| 2-3 Days | 15-30 minutes | “Just want to have fun” | Not Likely | May hate lessons May not enjoy practicing Not moving fast enough Frustrations when playing and performing |
| 0-1 Days | 0-30 minutes | “Just want to have fun” | NO | May hate lessons and/or teacher Not seeing any improvement or retention Low self-esteem |
How Much Practice is Enough?
Recreational Students
Goal
- Learn for enjoyment
- Play favorite pieces
- Build confidence
- Perform in studio recitals
Recommended Practice
- 20-30 minutes
- 4-5 days each week
Expected Progress
- Steady improvement
- Growing confidence
- Lifelong enjoyment of music
Committed Students
Goal
- Exams
- Festivals
- Competitions
- Advanced repertoire
Recommended Practice
- 45-90+ minutes
- 5-7 days each week
Expected Progress
- Faster advancement
- Greater technical development
- More performance opportunities
What If Life Gets Busy?
Life happens.
- Vacations
- Sports
- School projects
- Busy work schedules
- Illness
Missing a practice day isn’t the problem.
Giving up consistency is.
Even 10-15 focused minutes can keep momentum moving forward.
Quality over quantity
Great practice includes:
- Working on small sections
- Practicing slowly
- Listening carefully
- Solving one problem at a time
- Taking short breaks when needed
Simply playing through pieces from beginning to end is rarely the most effective use of practice time.
Music Happens at Home
Your weekly lesson provides guidance, feedback, and new concepts. Real progress happens between lessons. Those small moments at home—sitting down at the piano after dinner, practicing before school, or spending twenty focused minutes each afternoon—are where growth truly happens.
Our Philosophy at Opus38
At Opus38 Studio, we don’t expect perfection. We believe in creating sustainable musical habits that fit into busy modern lives. Whether your goal is to play for personal enjoyment or pursue advanced musical study, we’ll help you build a practice routine that supports steady progress while keeping music a joyful part of your life. Because the best practice routine isn’t necessarily the longest one. It’s the one you can stick with.
