Hi, I am currently preparing for my grade 8 practical exam in 2 months! I love to play scales, and my pieces but I was just curious what is the normal length of practice time for this grade? I play about 2 to 3 hours every day, but it sounds like too much. My teacher says all I need is 1 hour, is this true? Apart from that, I am going to take my piano teaching diploma next year, how much time would I need for that? The reason I am asking is becuase my time is very limited, (I am working full-time) and debating whether or not to take my MBA!. Should I quit? Hope this question isn't too silly.

-- Amelia (adaflora@mbox4.singnet.com.sg), May 31, 2001

Answers

I think that only you can answer whether an hr. of practice time is enough.

It isn't enough for me. I try to practice 2 hrs./day. It's not too much if you don't do it all at one sitting. I practice for short periods throughout the day. That way, I can concentrate better & not just play mindlessly. Two hrs. all at once IS too much, because no one can stay focused on what they're doing for that long.

Hope this helps. I'm sorry I don't know how to answer your other questions.

-- Music Educator (noname_poster@yahoo.com), May 31, 2001.

I agree with Music Educator, if you can concentrate fully in one hour and accomplish a lot then that's enough. For me it's also not enough ( I am also perparing for grade 8 as a matter of fact) because I play concertos together with this and that takes time. But you should practise as long as you can concentrate but not overdo it, and in that time, achieve as much as possible.

-- Vipercat (noname_poster@yahoo.com), May 31, 2001.

Admittedly, I tend to lose track of all time when I sit down at the piano. When I was in high school, I regularly practised for hours on end, mainly because I never realised that I was sitting there, practising for that long period of time. Nowadays, I practise for at least 1-2 hr/day and longer than that on weekends, and this is despite working full time (and generally staying longer hours than the usual 8). It's really up to you, if you feel like you need more practise, then take more practise; it certainly can't hurt.

-- Lyn Francisco (cartilagineol@hotmail.com), May 31, 2001.

Hey Amelia!!

Well, as for the practicing time, i'm sure the rest have told you. You should practice as long as you can concentrate.

As for your second question about asking how much time u need to practice for your teaching diploma. Let me ask you. What do you want to do in the future. Do u want to become a business man (because u are taking MBA) or u want to become a piano teacher? MBA takes a lot of time. Teaching diploma requires lot of work. It is not just practicing your pieces. You need to do research on how to teach, psychology etc. Do u have experience in teaching? If not, u need to start from scratch. Where not u choose what career path u want to go and u concentrate on what u want to do?

-- ace (quetzal@singnet.com.sg), June 01, 2001.

Hi there Amelia!

My 6th grade piano exam is in about a month... now, get this! my teacher expects at LEAST 2 hours a day!!!

so what does that tell you do you think??

i suppose its really up to you weather you want to take the 2 hours each day to really knuckle down this exam and be extra, extra confident when the day comes along. but, 1 hour could be enough for YOU all the same!

take care..

- Jemima.

-- Jemima (martijem@westminster.sa.edu.au), August 22, 2001.