Piano Practice Guide: What to Practice and How to Make It Fun!

So you sit down at the piano, all ready to play, and then it hits you…

“Umm… what should I actually practice?”

Don’t worry — we’ve all been there! Whether you're just starting out, jumping back in after a break, or just want to make your practice time more exciting, this piano practice guide is your new practice menu! 🍽️

Think of each part of your practice session like building a musical smoothie — mix the right ingredients, and you’ll be jamming in no time!


🖐 1. Technique – AKA Finger Gym Time

Before athletes play, they stretch and warm up. And piano players? We do the same — with our fingers!

Start your session with some fun finger workouts:

  • 🎯 5-finger scales (play 'em up and down!)
  • 💥 “Grab” exercises (great for control!)
  • 🌀 Advanced? Try scales, arpeggios, or Hanons!

Your Goal: Get those fingers flying across the keys like a pro.

Spend 5 minutes here


🥁 2. Rhythm – Feel the Beat!

Rhythm is EVERYWHERE — even in your claps, steps, and heartbeats. 🫀 But at the piano, rhythm is what gives your music that groove.

Try this:

  • 👏 Clap or tap out note values (whole, half, quarter, 8th notes)
  • 🗣 Say rhythms out loud (“ta ta ti-ti ta!”)
  • 🥁 Use a metronome and tap to the beat

You can practice rhythm anywhere — even in the car, the shower, or while brushing your teeth. 🪥

Spend 5 minutes here


👂 3. Ear Training – Superpower Your Ears

Ever hear a song and wish you could play it by ear? Good news: you can train your ears to do just that!

Try these ear-training power-ups:

  • 🧠 Guess if a melody goes up or down
  • 🎧 Play back simple melodies you hear
  • 😎 Spot the difference between major and minor

It’s like turning your ears into a musical superhero. 🦸‍♀️

Spend 5 minutes here


🎼 4. Reading Music – Decode the Musical Map

Think of sheet music like a treasure map 🗺️. Learning to read it helps you unlock any song.

Work on:

  • 👀 Reading notes on the grand staff
  • 🔍 Understanding sharps, flats, and key signatures
  • 🧩 Playing your assigned songs from sheet music

It's all about connecting what you see with what you play.

Spend 10 minutes here


🎹 5. Improvisation – Your Time to Shine!

Now for the best part: Play whatever you want! 🤩

Yep — this is your no-rules, all-fun zone:

  • 🎵 Make up your own tune
  • 🎶 Try playing your favorite song by ear
  • 🌊 Explore cool sounds (low, high, loud, soft)

This is where your creativity kicks in. Go wild. Be weird. Make music YOUR way.

Spend 5 minutes here


🎉 Wrap-Up: Your 30-Minute Musical Power Practice Here’s how your session might look:

🖐 Technique: 5 mins
🥁 Rhythm: 5 mins
👂 Ear Training: 5 mins
🎼 Reading Music: 10 mins
🎹 Improvisation: 5 mins

Mix it up! Keep it fun! And remember — using this piano practice guide and every practice session brings you closer to reaching your goals at the piano!

HomeSchoolPiano®

Piano lessons for the entire family. Great for absolute beginners or those who are coming back to the piano.
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