Saviano Studios

A space for discussion

Questions Parents Ask: Should I make my kid practice piano?
I attempted an answer to this question in the audio below.

Q&A Forum: What Motivates You to Practice? Adult students of all ages have answered

The number one topic of discussion among most musicians, both professional and amateurs, seems to be finding time to practice. Too often, the answer sounds a bit too much like the “Just Do It” slogan. Earlier this year, I asked some of my adult piano students to share some details on their home practice routines, starting with motivation to practice. Here are some of their responses.

Q: Kids are easy, because you can just tell them to go practice. Adults, not as much. We all have set habits and routines, and as much as we commit to practicing with good intentions, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. My question for you: What motivates you to actually sit down and play? Do you have any systems in place to help remind you to get to the piano?

BSY:  I am certainly one of your adult students who has trouble practicing consistently, and for the life of me, I couldn’t think why that was.  Well, today I sat down to practice (finally!) and suddenly I realized what the problem is:  I tend to set goals for myself that are very difficult, and after a few attempts, I am too discouraged to want to continue.  My example is this:  I thought I wanted to learn Pachelbel’s Canon in D, with all the difficult fingering.  I love the music.  But reading the notes and paying attention to the fingering both was just too much for me.  I had also put out Air on a G String by Bach, and kept finding myself going first to that piece and each time I played it through.  Very slowly and haltingly, but I played it through, unlike the Canon.  Today I went first to Air on a G String, played it through, and then found myself looking for something else, but NOT Pachelbel.  I found Grieg’s Morning Mood, which is much more simplified, and that I played through with pleasure!  Both Grieg and Bach are so melodic I never get tired of the pieces, and I can hear and see myself improving with the Grieg almost daily, while I see much slower progress–but yes, progress!–with the Bach.  So what motivates me is having at least one piece that is easy enough for me to progress quickly in learning to play it, while having to work harder on one other piece.

BJ: I am motivated to practice piano by having a lovely teacher who gives me lots of praise and encouragement even though I realize, like the local renowned writer, Patricia Hampl, I will never be a concert pianist…Ha Ha.  My challenge is to practice enough to progress while at the same time not messing up my hands and arms even more.  Which involves being open to learning better hand and arm dynamics, first of all.  

GP:  I am personally motivated. I typically practice in the morning starting around 8am. This is also my lesson time once a week. I practice at least 6 days a week for about 30 to 45 minutes. I mark my progress generally by how I sound. I try to improve each day. For now, however, I pretty much NEED WORK! The books and material suggestions are extremely helpful. I get them right away and start working. I don’t intend to stay stagnant and move along.