Quality Practice Checklist for Parent Partnership

A Guide for Encouraging Effective, Joyful Practice at Home

At Con Brio, we believe quality practice begins with awareness, structure, and connection. This guide helps parents recognize the essential ingredients of productive home practice and support their child’s growing artistry.

Before Practice

Review the Assignment Together: Have your child read their weekly assignment out loud (or read it aloud for them if they’re still learning to read).
Set Up the Environment: Ensure a quiet, well-lit, and focused space free of distractions before beginning.

During Practice

Count Out Loud: Encourage frequent, confident counting—this builds rhythmic awareness and discipline.
Tempo Awareness: Expect mostly slow, deliberate practice with occasional moderate tempos. Speed is earned through accuracy, not haste.
Metronome Use: The metronome should be a regular companion. Students should aim for steady rhythm and consistency before advancing the tempo.
Dynamic Expression: Listen for variety in sound—soft to strong, expressive contrasts, and shaping. You can ask, “What story or image does this piece remind you of?” to spark imagination.

Practice Structure

Start with Rhythm: Begin with rhythm clapping and counting aloud with the metronome—daily coordination work is key.
Warm-Up: Move to finger exercises such as scales, chords, and assigned technical drills.
Core Practice: Work through 2–3 pieces in short, focused sections rather than playing through from start to finish. This targeted repetition accelerates progress.

Posture & Technique

Posture: Straight back, relaxed shoulders, seated on the sit bones, with elbows level to the keys.
Wrist Alignment: Wrists should remain level with the arms—never dropped below the keyboard.
Hand Shape: Rounded hands and firm fingertips—imagine holding a small bubble or ball.
Eyes on the Music: During section work, eyes should remain on the score as much as possible to develop spatial awareness and touch-based accuracy.

Remember

Quality practice isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, curiosity, and connection. Your encouragement helps transform each session from routine repetition into genuine musical discovery.