FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much should I practice?
The amount of time you practice is not nearly as important as how you use your time. Generally, though, if you are practicing well, you should expect to make good progress if you practice about 5 minute per day per grade in school, and 5 days a week. Double that if you are planning to major in music. So, if you are in 10th grade, you should practice for 50 minutes per day, 5 days a week. More detailed information can be found in my practice guidelines and practice techniques resource sheets.
Should I take 30, 45, or 60 minute lessons?
It depends on the student. 30 minutes is usually sufficient for the first year or two of playing. Longer lessons become necessary as the student progresses to more repertoire with greater difficulty. By high school, students are often working on scales, a tone or technique exercise, an etude, 2 solo pieces, orchestral excerpts, and whatever they have for an upcoming all-state audition or band performance. 30 minutes barely leaves time to touch the surface of these things, much less get into any details, so 45 or 60 minute lessons are usually necessary at this level.
Are music lessons worthwhile if I'm not going to be a music major?
Absolutely. Studying music teaches you to be independent, motivated, and disciplined. It teaches you essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills that you will apply to everything else you do in life. It teaches emotional intelligence, empathy, to work effectively as part of a team, and to be a strong competitor and supportive colleague. It gives you the opportunity to hone a craft and excel, to rise to challenges, and to develop a deep understanding of and relationship with an art form. These are, of course, in addition to fostering a lifelong love of music itself.
Why is my child frustrated or not progressing?
Chances are your child is either not practicing enough or not practicing effectively. Daily practice is essential for retention and continuity, but simply playing the instrument for a set amount of time is not enough. Particularly with younger students, parents need to be actively involved in lessons and practice sessions. It is possible for a student to practice for an hour and accomplish nothing; it's also possible to practice for 15 minutes and accomplish a lot. Practice techniques will be addressed in almost every lesson. Helping your child transfer those concepts to his/her home practice will make for a much more gratifying musical experience and faster, more consistent progress.
The amount of time you practice is not nearly as important as how you use your time. Generally, though, if you are practicing well, you should expect to make good progress if you practice about 5 minute per day per grade in school, and 5 days a week. Double that if you are planning to major in music. So, if you are in 10th grade, you should practice for 50 minutes per day, 5 days a week. More detailed information can be found in my practice guidelines and practice techniques resource sheets.
Should I take 30, 45, or 60 minute lessons?
It depends on the student. 30 minutes is usually sufficient for the first year or two of playing. Longer lessons become necessary as the student progresses to more repertoire with greater difficulty. By high school, students are often working on scales, a tone or technique exercise, an etude, 2 solo pieces, orchestral excerpts, and whatever they have for an upcoming all-state audition or band performance. 30 minutes barely leaves time to touch the surface of these things, much less get into any details, so 45 or 60 minute lessons are usually necessary at this level.
Are music lessons worthwhile if I'm not going to be a music major?
Absolutely. Studying music teaches you to be independent, motivated, and disciplined. It teaches you essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills that you will apply to everything else you do in life. It teaches emotional intelligence, empathy, to work effectively as part of a team, and to be a strong competitor and supportive colleague. It gives you the opportunity to hone a craft and excel, to rise to challenges, and to develop a deep understanding of and relationship with an art form. These are, of course, in addition to fostering a lifelong love of music itself.
Why is my child frustrated or not progressing?
Chances are your child is either not practicing enough or not practicing effectively. Daily practice is essential for retention and continuity, but simply playing the instrument for a set amount of time is not enough. Particularly with younger students, parents need to be actively involved in lessons and practice sessions. It is possible for a student to practice for an hour and accomplish nothing; it's also possible to practice for 15 minutes and accomplish a lot. Practice techniques will be addressed in almost every lesson. Helping your child transfer those concepts to his/her home practice will make for a much more gratifying musical experience and faster, more consistent progress.