How Can I Be a Supportive Parent/Guardian of a Piano Student?

You signed up for lessons, bought a piano, and your kids are excited. You just need to chauffeur and the teachers will take care of the rest, right?

Not quite.

Parents often underestimate the importance of parental guidance when it comes to learning an instrument. Playing the piano is a rewarding experience, with amazing benefits--a skill that will be useful to your child their whole life. However, it has unique challenges. Parents are a vital part of the journey and teachers need their help, even if they don’t know a thing about music. Parents and teachers must work as a team if they expect students to grow and continue learning piano.

Here are some things that piano teachers expect of parents, especially for young students:

Set Up a Conducive Practice Environment and Purchase Materials

Designate a quiet, comfortable space for practice, free from distractions. Good lighting, a proper bench, and an organized area for music books and accessories can make a big difference. 

Make sure you provide an acceptable piano for students. Early beginners may do fine without weighted keys, but it is best to learn on a digital piano with weighted keys (I recommend Yamaha), or a real piano. Your teacher will guide you to know which books to purchase for your student.

Ensure Effective Practice at Home

Students have different learning styles, but all must practice. Some parents think students will practice on their own, but in my experience, very few students will consistently practice without help from parents. Children need assistance in structuring and adhering to a practice schedule.

Practicing varies depending on age, level, and interest, but we recommend early beginners start at 15 minutes per day. Some younger students have a hard time focusing that long, so try splitting up the time throughout the day. Students’ practicing goals will range from 15 minutes to an hour--it depends. Discuss with your teacher what a good practice goal would be for your student. Provide charts for children to check off their progress.

While you may not be a pianist yourself, you can still assist with practice by helping them follow their teacher’s instructions, keeping track of practice times, and setting goals for each session. Students who don’t have quality practice sessions are typically happy to be meeting their “practice quota” each week, but ultimately they get discouraged when they see little progress in their performance. Parent involvement is essential to help students see improvement.

It is highly encouraged for parents to withhold activities such as gaming, playing with friends, or other non-essential activities until after practice is finished. One parent I know has a rule that their child is allowed to have as much screen time as he practices. Twenty minutes of practicing equals twenty minutes of screen time. Another parent has children practice each song four times correctly instead of using time as a motivator. Each child is unique, but children require structure to help them work on this skill which requires consistent time and dedication.

One last thing about practice: it is different from a lesson. Students should be coming to lessons with prepared materials, ready to pass off songs, polish others, and learn new techniques. Lessons are not a time to practice materials that students have brought unprepared. Teachers are, of course, willing to help students learn the best ways to practice and discuss practicing habits with students, but the actual practice should not be happening in the lesson. This is why daily help from parents is so essential.

Encourage Patience and Persistence

Help children understand that learning piano is a gradual process that requires patience. There will be times when your child gets discouraged, but encourage them to stick with it. Celebrate small victories with them, and point out their progress as they improve.

Some parents let students take a break from piano lessons during the summer. While this may be unavoidable for some families, I strongly advise against it. Summer offers an excellent opportunity for students to focus on the piano without the usual distractions of the school year. Additionally, taking a break can set students back in their progress, leading to a need to catch up when lessons resume. Keeping up with lessons over the summer helps maintain and build upon the skills they’ve worked hard to develop.

Communicate with the Teacher

Maintain regular communication with your child’s piano teacher to stay informed about their progress and any areas that need extra attention. Ask what they are doing well in, what they need to work on, and what you can do to help at home. You and the teacher are a team in helping your student learn piano. This partnership can help address challenges promptly.

Be Involved and Show Interest

Attend their lessons occasionally, ask them to play what they’ve learned, and show genuine interest in their progress. Be excited and make recitals a priority. Your enthusiasm can boost their confidence and motivation.

Encourage Listening to Music

Exposure to a variety of music can inspire your child and enhance their understanding of different styles and techniques. Attend concerts, listen to piano recordings, and explore various genres together.

Promote a Positive Attitude

Encourage a positive mindset towards practice and learning. Avoid putting pressure on them to be perfect. Instead, focus on effort and improvement.

Set Realistic Expectations

Understand that progress in learning an instrument takes time. Set achievable goals and be patient with the learning process. Celebrate milestones, no matter how small they may seem.

Parents, you are essential in helping children discover the joy of playing the piano. Even if you don’t know much about music, your involvement is crucial. Communicate regularly with their teacher and ask them for help if you need it. Show genuine interest in your child’s achievements, encourage them when it gets hard, and set rules to help them be consistent in their practice. Remember, parents and teachers are a team that works together to help children learn to love music and grow in their talents.

You can do it!

Kirstin Stephenson

Music Director

Utah STEM & Arts Academy