Irina Berry's

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Practicing:

I often get asked how long students should practice each day, and the degree of involvement parents should maintain in the process. I recommend 30 minutes a day for kids 7 and under. For kids who are 8 and up, or who are playing at an advanced level, I recommend at least 45 minutes a day.

It's important, though, to make sure that the amount of time isn't the focus. Practice is what it should be when the child is absorbed in it and loses track of time. And don't stress: there will be weeks where you hardly manage any practicing at all. And sometimes the lessons that come after such weeks can be very productive! It's weird. I've come to realize that learning music is kind of on the same model as weather prediction - there is no short-term reality, only a long-term one. So taking the long view of things is important.

Parent participation will vary depending on the people involved. It's great if you are musical and can participate in that capacity with your child's practicing. But if you're not, I do recommend just paying attention. This can take the form of sitting nearby and doing something else - reading a book, knitting, balancing the checkbook - while your child practices, or simply of listening at the end of the practice time to what he or she has learned. But in one way or another, keep your child company in the process of learning music - let your attention be felt. The thing I always hated most about piano practice was how solitary it was. That having been said, there are exceptions to every rule. Try different approaches and see what works best for you. And remember to have fun!
 

Instrument:

Another common question has been when to make the switch from a keyboard to a real piano. The answer is, as soon as possible. Sometimes it's a space issue, sometimes a cost issue, sometimes you want to make sure that your child is sufficiently committed to a course of study before you invest in a real instrument. These are all understandable issues. But as soon as your child gets a real piano, I guarantee that they will listen more to their own playing, and their technical skills will improve. 
While you still have a keyboard, there are certain aspects of set-up you'll want to make sure you have. First of all, if it's at all possible, have a keyboard that is stable - some of them have kind of flimsy architecture, so that when the keys are struck, the whole structure sways a little. This is not so good. Also, have a real bench, not just a chair. Adjustable benches are highly recommended, since your child will require different bench heights as they grow. 

As far as the keyboard itself, it should be the kind that is "touch-sensitive" - that is, you can get a louder volume by striking the key harder. It should have weighted keys, to approximate the feel of playing on a piano [for example: Yamaha DGX620AD], and its keys should be three-dimensional and not flat. Finally, the sound sampled should be as much like a piano as possible, not a synthesizer.

I know these seem like a lot of requirements, but the end result is that your child is not playing a toy instrument, and thus takes the whole thing more seriously.