How Much Do you Practice?

[Cecin_Koot]

7 or 8 hours on the weekdays, 10 hours on the weekends. High school, currently working on....Rachmaninoff Second Concerto, Mephisto Waltz, Beethoven Opus 7, Opus 10 and 25 Chopin Etudes, Chopin 4th Ballade.

Do you practice at school as well as home, becuase i couldnt practice that much during the week even if i was desperate to.  better not disturb this guy, he is obviously very tired, unless he has a really really good bed. 

[steinwayguy]

Pretty much all at school, although I practice at home when I'm not able to get to school.

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

Bernhardt as in Warren?  I searched for piano on yahoo and got a jazz program by Warren Bernhardt and was wondering if it's the same one who is always on here offering great advice?  Sorry, I guess im just ignorant.

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

I have been picking up my practice time for a competition coming up...hopefully I will win it.

[steinwayguy]

I have been picking up my practice time for a competition coming up...hopefully I will win it.

I know the feeling, good luck.
And when's your Juilliard audition?

[kilini]

Steinway Guy has inspired me. I really ought to spend at least an hour on the piano on these mornings, instead of whiling my time away on the Internet.

I don't think you should practice more than 45 minutes a day for the first month, the first six months even.

Then you think wrong. It all depends on the person. I practiced hours a day for my first months (October to now), but only because I wanted to stop lingering on level 1--6.

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

And when's your Juilliard audition?

April 8th.  I'm excited..

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

I stumbled across this thread and was wondering...is 12 hours/day too much practice?

[delpetrarca]

amateur, college stud., 3~5 hrs practice daily Wed.~Saturday. Zero hrs Sunday~Tues   

Currently working on Chopin Scherzo No.2, Sonata No.3, Beethoven PC4.

I always have Liszt's Annees de Pelerinage complete book & Chopin Nocturns with me and play thru as many as possible (i don't consider them the ones I'm "working on", rather "playing with".)

[steinwayguy]

I stumbled across this thread and was wondering...is 12 hours/day too much practice?

If you need it, no.
If you dont' want to hurt yourself, probably.
But with college auditions, I think it is perfectly reasonable.

[Brian Healey]

Bernhardt as in Warren?  I searched for piano on yahoo and got a jazz program by Warren Bernhardt and was wondering if it's the same one who is always on here offering great advice?  Sorry, I guess im just ignorant.

The piano forum Bernhard spells his name without the "T". FYI, the Warren Bernhardt you found is an excellent pianist, and was a close friend of Bill Evans.



Peace,
Bri

[BoliverAllmon]

for myself simply not enough practice.

[e60m5]

April 8th.  I'm excited..

You're auditioning at Juilliard on April 8th? Surely that isn't for the Undergraduate program, right?

[DavidW]

Good lord, the amount of time some of you kids are practicing is just astonishing.  Well, my first comment is if you are able to practice this much (and are homeschooled) that must also mean that you do not have a job so you are very lucky and blessed to have parents that appreciate your talents.    The young man who is learning all that Rachmaninnoff -- why??  I love Rachmanninoff, but hopefully at your age if you're practicing this much, then your repertoire should be fully realized -- and when you were younger I guess you learned all the Bach Preludes/Fugues, all the Chopin Etudes, and quite a bit of Beethoven -- if not, and if you are playing this other repertoire, I would want to know why you didn't -- and "I don't like Bach/Chopin/Beethoven" is not an adequate response.
As for the adults on this post, well, I'm 41, a non-musician professional with a busy 40-50 hour work week; I try to get up in the morning and put in 1/2 hour before work, and in the evenings practice a couple hours.  And it is always broken up in small chunks.  Right now my professor is about to kick me out of his studio because it's taking me too long to memorize the Liszt b minor Sonata -- albeit, learning this repertoire this late in life although supposed to be for fun, is also very taxing; especially when you are scolded by your professor.  I've always had difficulty memorizing large pieces quickly.  But he is right on this one.  I've been lazy for several months and it's just time to put the music aside -- I digress, anyway ... interesting post

[pianonut]

i'm impressed with the amount of time steinway guy makes to practice.  it's obvious you want to make it a career.  and, the sacrifice of staying up late (until 2:00 pm some nights) will be noticed by your teachers.  it sounds like your money will be well spent!

i used to be able to stay up until 1:00 am and have practiced for 6-7 hour stretches at a time.  but, lately, if i take another class (grad classes) i am too perfectionistic about knowing whatever we're supposed to read and research and get 'into' that instead of practice.  and, now, i have a little less money for the babysitter, so i am also mommying (which keeps me more balanced in my sleep cycle probably).  BUT, if i had no children and wanted a career (with so much competition) i would think that you would have to practice more than the average. 

what is the average at julliard?  i'll ask some of the students at wcu.  i am curious how much time people make.  i am surprised at the sacrifices many make (by working at the music library and then practicing late at night or getting up early). 

if i were you, before you lose any major health, i would stop eating regular commisary food and start going into major dietary needs for athletes.  you would be surprised at how much diet can change your energy level.  (and exercise- as you probably already know).  making time for these might cut a little into your time at first, but then you can speed up the process later.  at home, i make myself 'power soup.'  i empty tomato soup but add lots of dark greens to it.  well, somewhere along the way i picked up (what i told myself i would never do) my mother's propensity to solve all the world's problems in one sitting.

how much do i practice now?  about 2-3 hours at the most.  totally not enough, but made up for on the weekend or friday afternoon. 

[pseudopianist]

3 hours per day is the average for me.

[lostinidlewonder]

I wonder why we measure the amount of practice we do by hours? Why not measure it through something more solid like; for memorisation, Bars Per Day. For pieces you are upkeeping or improving, these i guess can be measured by time, but i think it would be losing to measure your amount of practice by time. I reckon better to measure it with a musical ruler.

I wake up, play piano. Eat breakfast while playing, or sometimes just play and forget about eating most of the time. Play until I have to go to work or somethings good on TV (which isnt that often i dont have cable (( ). What a life. Hey all you peoples wanting to be a musician, hope you enjoy time alone ahahahahah.

[steinwayguy]

I wonder why we measure the amount of practice we do by hours? Why not measure it through something more solid like; for memorisation, Bars Per Day. For pieces you are upkeeping or improving, these i guess can be measured by time, but i think it would be losing to measure your amount of practice by time. I reckon better to measure it with a musical ruler.

I know how long it will take to do a certain task and vice versa. For example, if I was told to practice the Mephisto Waltz for two hours, I know exactly what I should work on, and how much time I should spend on it. So I set myself goals for the day, such as "learn the exposition to the beethoven concerto" and I know it will take approximately x amount of time. It's really weird, I started doing this estimation thing one day and have right on the money nearly every time...

[pianonut]

i think you are both right!  i am now counting bars, then getting out the calendar and saying 'whew, you're cutting it close,' you'd better start memorizing two or three bars per day so you have a week or two to just play the whole thing memorized.  sometimes, too, i decide to practice more than the memory work and after a week or two get too tied to reading the music (because i like how it sounds).  in the past, i had hope it would work it's way into my fingers, but it really makes my brain lazy.  much better to just take a small chunk (for me) per day and add to it tommorrow. 

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Depending on what I'm practicing, I may practice more or less. Right now, most of my time is dedicated to Rachmaninoff's 3rd Concerto, and as anyone can guess, I spend as much time at the piano as I possibly can. I'd say 7 hours at most. Most of the time, I only have enough time in my busy schedule to pratice about 3-4 hours, considering that I dedicate a bit of every day to studying and composition as well.

[The Boogie Man.]

i play about 2-3 hours a day.

but then sometimes ill go with out playing for a week or so,

get mental blocks. and i cant think of anything to add to blues etc.

but then ill get past that and make up for what ive missed out.

should praccy more tho.

[hammmer]

Im very new to this site, and spent the last 30 mins reading through these replies. Everyone is different (which is a very good thing), and if your mind and body can handle 10hrs of practice, then I say go for it. For me, it varies. One day I can go 2-3 hours,some  days, only 1. I listen to what my body is telling me. It doesn't make any sense to practice when your mind has shut down. You don't learn anything. It's like weight training, which I do 3-4 days a week. If I train for more than 45mins, I am not making any gains. Over training can have the reverse effect. When it comes to piano, I like to break up my practice session. Sometimes I take a break and go ride my bike outside for about 30 mins. While I'm riding, I don't stop practicing. I'm either visualizing the music, breaking it down,analyzing it, or simply singing it. It's amazing how much  easier it has become to memorize the music by doing those simple things away from the piano and in a different environment. Try it sometime..It's been a pleasure reading all your responses.
Cheers...

[Radix]

I never practice for more than four hours in any given day; I think that any more is a little unhealthy, and potentially useless -- it's hard to focus for so long.  I'd say that I average about three per day, and that's never in one session; it's always broken up.

[Carmilla]

I try to study at least 5 hrs every day, but depending on the length of my repertory sometimes it 7 hours or so. I also rest for 10minutes every hour so I wont get too tired or hurt.

[fred smalls]

WOW! I only practice 1 hour a day, lol, i guess thats why I'm not improving that rapidly. ;

[TheChosenOne]

I try to get in at least 3 hours/day, although I suspect it will be more as my recital grows nearer.  I'm preparing for a program I'm giving early April.  What do you all think of this program, or possible order for this program?  Thanks.
Chopin: Polonaise Op. 44
           Etudes op 10: No. 3, 12
Bach: P&F no. 6
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 2 No. 3

[jim_24601]

I don't practise. I'm perfect already. 

Er, just kidding. About 2-3 hours most days. I can't manage much more and hold down a full time job. I'm following advice gleaned from this forum and dividing it into 20 minute chunks in which I work on a bar or short phrase at a time.

I try to get in at least 3 hours/day, although I suspect it will be more as my recital grows nearer.  I'm preparing for a program I'm giving early April.  What do you all think of this program, or possible order for this program?  Thanks.
Chopin: Polonaise Op. 44
           Etudes op 10: No. 3, 12
Bach: P&F no. 6
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 2 No. 3

Actually I quite like it. Is that the D minor P&F from WTC I or II? I'm learning the one from WTC II now, and prefer it to the book 1 one. The Beethoven op 2 no.3 is on my list of things to learn eventually; I love the second movement to bits.

[bachmaninov]

Well, I am a sophmore in high school, and I can usually practice around 2-3 hours a weekday. Depending on motivation. I constantly attend competitions, and concerts so that I HAVE to have something ready by a certain time. (And we all wait till the last second  ) So you can imagine the last week before a contest or concert usually means "more practicing." I am currently working on Chopin's "Ocean Wave" Etude, and Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata (1st movement) and challenging myself with Prokofiev's Toccata.

[steinwayguy]

I try to get in at least 3 hours/day, although I suspect it will be more as my recital grows nearer.  I'm preparing for a program I'm giving early April.  What do you all think of this program, or possible order for this program?  Thanks.
Chopin: Polonaise Op. 44
           Etudes op 10: No. 3, 12
Bach: P&F no. 6
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 2 No. 3

It's a good program, or would be in the following order...

Bach
Beethoven
Etudes
Polonaise

[TheChosenOne]

Thanks.  Is it generally advisable to practice more as a recital approaches?  What are your all experiences with this? 

[BoliverAllmon]

don't go to crazy with the practice, to me sleep is more important at this point.

boliver

[steinwayguy]

Practice like all hell, without endangering your health until the day before. Practice the day before, but make sure you get a LOT of sleep.

[mikeyg]

I happen to be a person with nearly zero responsibilities.  No job, in college where HW isn't necessary (and I am fortunately intelligent enough to do well on exams without studying) and spend little time in school.  So, i probably play for about 3 hours a day, in 30 minute segments normally, unless i'm on fire, because i find that I'm more productive after a rest.

[Steve T]

Quote [...The higher you aim, the harder you fall...] from Steinway Tony.
This type of attitude can only hinder progress, stifle progression and lead to a mediocre, unfulfilled outcome...in whichever area of life you apply it.

SteinwayBoy is to be applauded for having big goals and chasing his dreams with 100% effort. Thank goodness NASA never had SteinwayTony's attitude leading up to 1969 !! All of man's greatest achievements have been attributed to 'going the extra mile; daring to dream big; taking a chance; working hard; being positive; continuing in the face of adversity.

This quote will be loved by Steinway Boy and should be read carefully by Steinway Tony:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

-- Theodore Roosevelt, 1910


If you aim at the rooftops and you don't quite make it, you may end up reaching the treetops.....however if you aim at the moon and don't quite make it, think how high you may reach. Always aim well beyond what you, or others believe is possible. Work honestly and hard, overcome obstacles with determination, and never, ever give up. Your goals may change but your life will be enriched with this philosophy. Beware many will try to disuade you...tell you 'not to aim too high!... that's because they don't want to see you succeed and progress above them, because that highlights their own failings and lack of strong goals and courage. Such people should be avoided as though they have the plague, they are not friends and will only hold you back.

Heavy stuff, but it annoys me to hear such negative remarks which I know are so harmful to young minds. Live your dreams, print out Roosevelt's quote and put it on your wall. Read or listen to Jim Rohn, Brian Tracey, Anthony Robbins and design your life. You cannot lose, guaranteed!!! Even if you don't quite get exactly where you planned, you'll have grown as a person and will motivate and encourage others to do more with their lives. Don't become an old man or woman who regrets the things they never tried. Life is not a dress rehearsal !! and it is much shorter than it seems when you are young.

[steinwayguy]

Steve makes me feel good.

[MattL]

Over the summer when I don't have any school I will sometimes parctice 8 hours, during school probably no  mroe than 3 a day. 

[ralessi]

freshman in college...when not in class or playing video games usually practicing.  class is over at noon every day so normally from then till 8 or 9 with lunch and dinner breaks, and an ocassional trip down to the music library to check email or listen to something.  As long as i take my adderall.  ADD sucks....but with the adderall i have gone as much as 11-12 hours without even blinking.  *It all goes by so fast and i can learn SOOOOOOO much in a day.   

[paris]

i usually practise 2-3 hours. i'm going to competition, so last week i practised 6 hours every day. i'm totaly exhausted and i can't even think of piano anymore. i feel i should sleep,watch tv, do anything except piano practising. i'm astonished by guys like steinwayguy who can practise so much,and focus on what they are playing. it's very demanding for me,mentaly and physically.

i have one more question. i used to practise little, sometimes 1/2 hour, sometimes nothing per day.
now i'm 16 and i still don't practise as much as i should. but,sometimes, when i manage to prastise more, my playing is not improving. on the other hand, sometimes i don't practise at all, come to my teacher and my playing is great.  does somebody knows why is this?

[robo1001]

I am currently practicing about 3 hours a day at max, sometimes about 5 hours at the weekend, but i find it almost impossible to get any more practice in.  I can't understand how people like SteinwayGuy can practice 12 hours and still have to go to school etc, it baffles me really! anyways, I was wondering if 3 hours a day is enough at the age of 16, if I am aiming to become a proffesional once I have left school and maybe gone to a conservatoire?!

[chopin2256]

I "play" the piano about 6-10 hours during the week.  I "practice" the piano about 3-5 hours during the week.  I find that if I practice too much, I pick up bad habits.  I can't practice for more than an hour and a half on a given day, or I will start to get restless.  For myself, hard practice for half an hour to an hour 3 times a week can work really well, if practiced right.  Playing on the other hand is alot more fun.  I can just sit down and play for 2 or 2 1/2 hours on one day and get carried away even if I only wanted to play for 15 minutes.