Summer Practice: The Secret to Getting Ahead Before September

One of the questions I get asked every year is:

“Should my child keep practicing over the summer?”

My answer is always the same:

Absolutely but summer practice should look different.

Summer is one of the best opportunities for young musicians to get ahead because the pressure of school assignments, exams, and busy schedules is temporarily lifted. Instead of rushing from one activity to another, students have the chance to slow down, explore, and build skills that often don’t receive enough attention during the school year.

Build Stronger Technique

Technique is the foundation of musical freedom.

Summer is the perfect time to strengthen:

• Hand position and posture

• Scales and arpeggios

• Finger independence and coordination

• Tone production and articulation

• Sight-reading skills

When students dedicate even a few minutes each day to technical work, they often return in September with greater confidence and ease at the instrument. Pieces that once felt difficult suddenly become much more manageable.

Develop Your Ear

Some of the greatest musical growth happens away from the printed page.

Summer is a wonderful time to:

• Explore some of the excellent YouTube ear-training tutorials available, especially those geared toward RCM students if examinations are your focus.

• Pick a favourite song and try to figure it out on the piano.

• Depending on your child’s level, begin by finding the melody and then experiment with adding a simple left-hand accompaniment using the theory concepts we have already covered in lessons.

Learning to listen to and recreate music by ear helps students understand how music works and develops confidence, creativity, and musical independence.

All of this can be schedule and organised in your child’s lessons so practicing is fun over the summer.

Get Ahead in Theory

Summer is also a fantastic opportunity to make progress in written theory.

Without the pressures of school and regular routines, students often have more mental space to:

• Review concepts from the previous year

• Strengthen note reading and rhythm work

• Complete written theory exercises

• Prepare for upcoming RCM theory requirements

• Explore harmony and composition concepts in greater depth

A little theory work over the summer can make a tremendous difference during the school year and often allows students to move through new concepts with much greater ease.

Small Efforts Create Big Results

Progress doesn’t require hours of practice every day.

Even:

• 15 minutes for younger students

• 20–30 minutes for intermediate students

• 30–45 minutes for advanced students

This can produce remarkable results when done consistently.

Students who continue engaging with music throughout the summer often begin September feeling prepared, motivated, and ready for new challenges. Rather than spending the first few weeks reviewing forgotten material, they can immediately move forward.

Summer isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about creating space to strengthen fundamentals, develop listening skills, and deepen musical understanding. A little work in July and August can make an enormous difference for the entire year ahead.

And remember, this is where having both a keyboard and a piano can be incredibly helpful. One child can be working on ear training with headphones on a keyboard while another practices technique on the piano. Many modern pianos, including Yamaha’s Silent Piano models, also allow students to practise with headphones. Meanwhile, another child can work on written theory in a quiet space without being distracted. And mom, you can have a little quiet in the morning to enjoy your patio in peace.

With a little creativity & technology, summer practice can become flexible, enjoyable, and productive for the entire family.