It’s one of the most common questions parents ask: How long should a child practice for their music lesson?

I recently had a conversation about this very topic while sitting in a coffee shop in Miami with Rich Margolis, a piano teacher with Lessons In Your Home. I asked Rich, “How’s practice going with your students?” He smiled and said, “Great — they’re practicing their age.”

Rich explained this simple but effective idea: a 6-year-old practices 6 minutes a day, a 10-year-old practices 10 minutes, and so on. It’s exactly as straightforward as it sounds — and according to Rich, it’s been going incredibly well.

At first, I wondered if 10 minutes a day would be enough for a 10-year-old. But Rich quickly clarified: “The age number is the minimum. During that time, students are expected to practice exactly as I’ve instructed.” Each week, Rich gives detailed practice assignments, so those “age minutes” are focused and meaningful. After the required time, students are free to continue playing and practicing however they like.

What makes this approach powerful is the sense of ownership students feel once they’ve completed their assigned time. Rich noticed that many students choose to keep practicing beyond their required minutes. When students choose to continue practicing, they take a huge step toward becoming real musicians — because practice becomes something they want to do, not just something they have to do.

I’ve talked about this idea before in my article You’re Doing What!, where I discussed the importance of student-driven practice.

So, if you’re wondering how long a child should practice for their music lesson, consider starting with their age as a minimum. It creates an achievable goal, builds consistency, and — most importantly — gives young musicians the freedom to explore and grow their love for music.

It’s a simple, smart technique that any teacher (or parent) can use to help children build strong practice habits and a lifelong connection to their instrument.

Read more about Rich and our other teachers who teach with Lessons In Your Home here.