The Practice of Practice
Encouragement & Tips for Students, Parents & Musical Families
🎵 The Practice of Practice
A practical guide to stress-free, joyful music making at home
✔ For students who want to play better
✔ For parents who want to encourage without conflict
✔ For families who value music and want it to stick
St. Joseph Arts Academy
🎶 Private Lessons in Guitar • Piano • Voice • Violin • Drums • Ukulele • Cello
📍 2027 N. 36th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64506
📞 (816) 294-4856 | ✉ jason@stjosephartsacademy.com
🌐 www.stjosephartsacademy.com
How Much Should I Practice?
There’s no single right answer. It depends on your goals, your schedule, and your stage of life.
But here’s a truth from world-renowned educator Shinichi Suzuki:
“Only practice on the days you eat.”
In other words, consistency matters more than quantity.
⏱ Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
You don’t need hours. But you do need to show up daily, even if it’s just to hold your instrument, strum a few chords, or sing one song.
“Just play what you can TODAY, the best you can with the time you have NOW.”
Let your instrument be part of your life—like brushing your teeth or walking the dog. Make music a habit, not a chore.
Parent Tips: Gentle Encouragement Works Best
Parents, you’re the “practice partners,” not the enforcers.
✅ Be patient. Learning an instrument is like raising a child. Growth takes time.
✅ Avoid arguments. Instead, ask “What will you play for me today?” or “Can I hear your favorite part?”
✅ Keep it light. Five good minutes of joyful music is better than 30 minutes of stress.
✅ Celebrate small wins. A new note, a clear tone, or a steady rhythm is reason to cheer!
🔁 Ritual helps. Attach music time to another daily habit:
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“Before dinner, we practice.”
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“Right after brushing teeth, it’s guitar time!”
🎯 Create a simple, predictable routine and stick with it gently.
7 Smart Practice Strategies for Students of All Ages
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🎯 Set tiny goals: “Play this phrase 3 times with no mistakes.”
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⏳ Use a timer: 10, 15, or 20 minutes of focused work > hours of distracted time.
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🎶 Warm up: Scales, easy songs, or improvising gets the brain and fingers ready.
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🧠 Focus on one thing: Rhythm, dynamics, posture, or tone—but not all at once.
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📒 Use a practice log: Track your time and what you worked on.
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💡 Mix it up: Play by ear, read music, memorize, or jam with backing tracks.
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🎉 Reward yourself: After practicing, watch a fun video, eat a snack, or do something you love.
Bonus: Realistic Time Goals (Ages 6–Adult)
| Age/Level | Daily Practice Goal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Young Beginners (6–8) | 5–10 min | Make it playful and short |
| Elementary (9–12) | 10–20 min | Help create a habit |
| Teens | 20–30 min | Build discipline and joy |
| Adults | 20–60 min | Stay inspired with variety |
| Aspiring Pros | 1–3 hours+ | Divide into focused sessions |
🎸 Just Keep Going
You don’t need to practice forever. You just need to practice today.
“Be a master today. Enjoy your music today. You don’t have to wait 55 years.”
💙 From all of us at the St. Joseph Arts Academy—thank you for making music part of your family’s life.
Let us know how we can support your goals!
Looking for music lessons near you? The St. Joseph Arts Academy offers private music classes and instrument instruction for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re searching for guitar lessons for kids, piano lessons in St. Joseph, violin lessons, drum lessons, singing lessons, or music theory classes, we’re here to help.
We provide beginner music lessons, advanced music training, and music education for kids through personalized instruction and fun, engaging music programs for children. Our family music lessons and group options make music part of your home and community.
As a trusted St. Joseph music academy and music school in Missouri, we’re proud to offer private music lessons, instrument lessons, music tutoring, and more with expert music teachers in St. Joseph. Discover music classes in St. Joseph, MO and find the perfect fit for your goals.