Keep Track of Practice Time
Tracking practice minutes is important
Did you have to practice piano a set amount of time each day? Some teachers encourage setting a buzzer, while others suggest a set time each day for practice …but did you know that keeping track of practice minutes is very helpful for both students and teachers?
Teachers need to know practice minutes
When I hear how my students play their assignments and see the amount of time they practiced, it tells me how to assign them going forward. Was it a polished assignment showing just 50 minutes of practice that week? If so, I clearly didn’t give enough work to challenge them. And the converse is true too. If they show 200 minutes of practice during their week but the song sounds really messy or is only partially learned, then I’ve overshot their abilities or maybe even their patience on that week’s assignment.
Keeping track of practice time helps students
We know when we go to the dentist we will be asked if we brush our teeth twice a day. Likewise, students know I will ask them to report how many minutes they have practiced. Students pay closer attention to whether or not they are meeting the practice goal we have set for them. It also signals that they are expected to meet their practice goals and finish their assignments.
But it goes beyond that. Being able to say “yes, I got my practice done” earns acknowledgment, kudos, and praise. Most of my piano teaching friends tell me they get excuses for not practicing each week. Rewarding students with praise for getting their practicing done works miracles.
Quality of practice matters
The practicing rule in my home growing up was 60 minutes a day. Every day of the week. Much of that time was wasted because the quality of practice was poor, but keeping track of my practice time was how I got off the piano bench. I saw it strictly as something my parents required. My teachers never asked me about my practice. They never asked how much was done nor challenged my practicing in any aspect.
Acknowledgment of time invested is motivating
As far as I know, few people on the planet go to work without earning a paycheck. The paycheck says that their time and efforts are appreciated. Teachers need to sincerely validate the time practiced at the piano because it is work. Aren’t we all motivated when someone notices our work? Keep track of the practice time as a teacher and as a student. Tracking practice time helps develop excellent work habits and rewards us far beyond learning to play the piano.
free for you
To help keep track of those practice minutes, download the practice record PDF I created by filling out the form below
