So…practicing.
That single word that so many people have come to dread, but which is so much a part of learning piano–or any instrument. You have to practice to to get better, but how much practice is reasonable?
We’ve all heard stories of professional musicians practicing two or more hours a day, but, unless you actually ARE a professional or semi-professional musician, that’s really not necessary at all. When your repertoire consists of multiple pieces over ten minutes in length, two hours can actually start to feel short!
But for the beginner pianist, there’s no point in practicing that long, nor is there for the very young pianist. Intermezzo’s very youngest students, in the Wunderkeys program, should be practicing their new skills for five minutes, three to five times per week. From there, beginner practice increases by skill level and age to 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week. More complex repertoire will eventually require more complex practice, and the details of this can be discussed when the time comes.
In the meantime, if you’re an adult or adult child beginner, try building up to 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week, and see just how fast you can progress!