Average Time To Practise? Options

[Rosemary7391]

So playing as much as possible in half term isn't reccomended?

As long as you are enjoying yourself and not inflicting damage by overdoing it, I don't see the problem, BUT, it is not a substitute for regular practice the rest of the time (IMO)

One reason why I hate coursework...

[Roseau]

I've even learnt how to do constructive practice whilst asking children's spellings.

Would you mind telling me how?

I would love to do something constructive while my children do their homework but I somehow can't imagine them allowing me to play the piano at the same time.
(Not really relevant but the French primary schools give them written homework (sometimes as much as an hour a day) from the first year they start school. As they can't actually read what they are supposed to do, the parent has to do the homework with them. After a year of having the parent beside them, it is very hard to get them used to the idea that they could actually do the homework by themselves).

[bohemian]

As long as you get the technical stuff done, I'm not so sure whether playing pieces every day is at all necessary. I find that I can progress on 2 hours a day, no problem, especially if those hours are at a certain time of day. Above 3 hours, progress tails off significantly. I think a really good amount for me is 2-3 hours private practice, and up to 3 hours ensemble work on top of that. But really, this depends so much on where you are on your instrument and where you want to be - it would be stupid for a beginner to try and do that much, and equally there are people who need more practice time.

[barry-clari]

Welcome back to the forum Bohemian.

Do you do that 2 hour practice in one go, or do you break it up into smaller bits? I tend to break up my practice into 75-ish minute chunks maximum, I tend to need a break after that length of time, before returning to the instrument(s).

[Dulciana]

I've even learnt how to do constructive practice whilst asking children's spellings.

Would you mind telling me how?

I would love to do something constructive while my children do their homework but I somehow can't imagine them allowing me to play the piano at the same time.
(Not really relevant but the French primary schools give them written homework (sometimes as much as an hour a day) from the first year they start school. As they can't actually read what they are supposed to do, the parent has to do the homework with them. After a year of having the parent beside them, it is very hard to get them used to the idea that they could actually do the homework by themselves).

That sounds horrendous, and you've got my sympathy! Parents need a life as well. Even to some extent here (I'm in N. Ireland) I feel that, as an exercise in self-discipline, too much homework is counter-productive when they're so young. It just teaches them that it's somebody else's problem. My first two children would not have let me engage in something else at the same time, but numbers 3 and 4 have got to know that it needs to be done, with or without mummy's full attention - because mummy's full attention just isn't always there!

ANYWAY, I pop in and out from the piano room while he's at the kitchen table. If the written work gets finished when I'm not there, he'll (he being 7) bring me in his spellings and tables and plonk the book on the music stand in front of me. I suppose it's a bit like accompanying, with your eye bobbing from one thing to the other, and with your brain split in half! It certainly lets you know whether an alberti bass is automatic yet or not, if you can do it whilst spelling a word! I think it aggravates him a bit (understandably, I suppose... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) ) if I don't stop playing, but this means he'll concentrate harder to get the word right first time in order to be allowed to sod off!

Sorry - this was a bit off-topic - just describing my "quality practice" routine!

Not to mention my quality parenting....

[organ_dummy]

I'm a freshman in college and here piano majors are suppossed to practice at least 20 hours a week. I am finding this very difficult to do...I can't focus for more than an hour or so at a time which means I have to break my practice sessions up throughout the day. It is very inconvenient, especially since the practice rooms are quite a long walk from my dorm. Just out of curiousity, what is considered the normal reccommended practice time for college students?

If you are a piano major and going for a degree in performance, four hours a day would be a reasonable amount, possibly more before a recital. I don't see how you could get away with less than four hours a day if you have to work toward a 50- to 60-minute recital programme and prepare for classes such as accompanying and chamber music.

[zypianist]

When I was in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Gifted Young Pianists Programme,
my principal Madam Fang Yuan told me that all of us (we're all around 5-12) must practice for at least an hour a day, without stopping or grabbing a bite.
She said that its the most fundamental of a disciplined pianist and practicing is all about discipline and focus.
However, as competitions, performances and masterclasses drew near, all of us must stay back at NAFA campus and practice for a whole afternoon, using the grand piano at each piano studio.
From young, my teachers and parents drilled in this concept that I must practice an hour a day.
Therefore, I was quite surprised when some members of this forums said that practicing less is better.
Perhaps different Arts Schools have different strategies.

[lizbun]

If I do all my scales and practice pieces (unfocust) it takes 25~35 minutes on piano,20~30 mins on violin.
I usualy practice play the oboe for about 5~15 mins

[notmusimum]

If I do all my scales and practice pieces (unfocust) it takes 25~35 minutes on piano,20~30 mins on violin.
I usualy practice play the oboe for about 5~15 mins

How's Oboe going Liz? Missing the regular updates!

[bohemian]

Welcome back to the forum Bohemian.

Do you do that 2 hour practice in one go, or do you break it up into smaller bits? I tend to break up my practice into 75-ish minute chunks maximum, I tend to need a break after that length of time, before returning to the instrument(s).

Thanks Barry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

No, I tend to find that my first session of the day lasts 90 minutes, even though I don't have a clock in the room while I practice. Any practice after that will be in sessions up about an hour, but not as long as the first session. Usually I do 2 sessions a day, and up to 3 sessions of ensemble work on top of that - suprisingly, I find it easy to sit through 3 hours of ensemble rehearsal, even if it's intensive 4tet work, but can't bear the thought of that much solo practice!

[CelloPianoManiac]

I attempt to do about an hour a day on the cello, when I was playing seriously the same on the piano and fit in singing whenever I have the time. I find (even when doing more) that there simply aren't enough hours in the day to divide up my practice. I guess it's not a good policy, but that's how it's always worked for me.

[lizbun]

If I do all my scales and practice pieces (unfocust) it takes 25~35 minutes on piano,20~30 mins on violin.
I usualy practice play the oboe for about 5~15 mins

How's Oboe going Liz? Missing the regular updates!

Yeah. It's going well. I can play a most of the pieces from my 'abracadabra' book if they don't have high notes(high g,a,b,c) I can just about play the high f and f#.

[SaxFan]

Now that's commitment! I move between the piano, the computer and the washing machine!

I think more people should take up the computer and the washing machine!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
It is high time the washing machine was seen as a serious instrument .....

So playing as much as possible in half term isn't reccomended?

As long as you are enjoying yourself and not inflicting damage by overdoing it, I don't see the problem, BUT, it is not a substitute for regular practice the rest of the time (IMO)

I'd agree with that Sarah.
There should be a 'core' of disciplined practice, and then you can go ahead and do as much as you like if you want to and if you are enjoying it (and the neighbours are enjoying it too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )
Best not to overdo it - tired practice doesn't benefit you as much as alert practice ... you have to judge this for yourself

[La_Chopiniste_]

The important question to ask is how more than how long ...

[katyjay]

Now that's commitment! I move between the piano, the computer and the washing machine!

I think more people should take up the computer and the washing machine!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
It is high time the washing machine was seen as a serious instrument .....

Absolutely! Beginner tuition offered (and I charge a reasonable fee) to anyone who wants to come round and do my laundry learn how to play one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)