How Much Should Kids Practice The Music Instrument?

Practice Expectations

One of the biggest mistakes in early music education is pushing young musicians to practice too much, too soon. The key to long-term success isn’t drilling scales for hours—it’s fostering a culture of fun around the instrument. For kids under eight, short, enjoyable practice sessions of just 5 to 10 minutes, three times a week, are more than enough. Combined with their regular lessons, this light approach ensures steady progress without overwhelming them. More importantly, it helps build a positive emotional connection to music, making them far more likely to stick with it in the long run.

Young children are still developing the coordination and mental clarity needed for more structured learning, and it's usually not until ages 10 or 11 that they start to play with more confidence. Real passion for music often kicks in around ages 13 to 15, when they begin to connect emotionally with the music they love. For this reason, early music education should be about exploration, enjoyment, and habit-building, rather than rigid discipline. By keeping things light and fun in the early years, we help set them up for a lifelong love of music—one that will naturally lead to deeper engagement and dedication when they’re ready.