I DON’T HAVE TIME TO PRACTICE: How Orchestra Teachers Can Inspire Students and Parents to Commit to Daily Practice

"It’s Friday! Please take your instrument home." My voice echoed as students hurriedly packed their instruments.

“Ms. Jennifer?” I anticipated that someone would approach me.

“But I’m going camping this weekend. I won’t have time to practice.”

This happens almost every weekend. I teach in an orchestra program that meets every weekday before school. With students already receiving 5 hours of instruction each weekday, the question arises: Do they still need to practice at home?

Spoiler alert: The answer is yes.

If you’re a parent, you might be thinking, "But it’s so much work to bring the instrument home. I’m concerned that it might break..." or "Do we really need to add practice at home to their already busy schedule?"

These are valid concerns, and they’re worth addressing. Here are five things to understand about the importance of home practice—for both parents and orchestra teachers.

1. Group Class Time Is Not Enough

Even if your child is participating in group lessons every weekday, the group setting provides limited opportunities for solo practice. Group classes are fantastic for ensemble playing, teamwork, and learning to listen and adapt. However, they are not designed to give students consistent opportunities to hear and analyze their own sound in isolation.

Why does this matter? Without solo time, students miss the opportunity to develop an honest understanding of their own sound and pinpoint technical areas that need attention. The experience of self-assessment builds the foundation for growth and improvement.

You might hear, "But we’re just learning the instrument for fun. He’s not going to be a professional musician..."

While that might be true, the journey of learning an instrument offers much more than preparing for a career.

2. Learning an Instrument Is about More than a Career

We live in a culture that values instant gratification. Social media, technology, same-day delivery, and convenience reinforce the idea that results should come quickly and effortlessly. Learning to play an instrument provides an invaluable lesson in patience and perseverance—two traits that will serve students far beyond music.

Mastering an instrument is not just about playing notes or achieving technical perfection; it's about learning to face challenges, adapt, and grow through frustration. These moments of struggle build resilience, problem-solving, and maturity.

Yes, learning to play an instrument will be challenging at times. However, learning to overcome that challenge—and practicing through it—is part of the journey.

3. Daily Practice Reinforces Muscle Memory

Think of learning an instrument like learning a language. If a child only spoke Spanish for one hour each day in school but never practiced at home, their progress would be slow. The same applies to playing an instrument. Daily practice helps reinforce the physical and mental coordination needed to play fluently.

Repetition builds muscle memory, making it easier for students to play with ease and confidence. Without regular practice, students may feel like they are starting from scratch each time they pick up their instrument. Even 10–15 minutes of focused practice at home can make a significant difference in retention and improvement.

4. Home Practice Builds Independence

While group classes provide structure and guidance, home practice allows students to take ownership of their learning. It encourages self-discipline, time management, and personal accountability—skills that benefit them far beyond music.

At home, students learn to set goals, troubleshoot challenges, and develop a sense of responsibility for their progress. Instead of relying on their teacher to tell them what to fix, they begin to discover their own solutions. This kind of self-motivation is key to long-term success in any discipline.

5. Small, Consistent Efforts Yield Big Results

Many students (and parents) assume that effective practice means playing for an hour or more each day. In reality, consistency is more important than duration. A student who practices for 15 minutes daily will improve more than one who practices for an hour only once a week.

Daily practice helps prevent frustration because progress happens gradually rather than in overwhelming bursts. It also fosters a sense of accomplishment—when students notice small improvements, they feel encouraged to keep going.

Now that we’ve covered why home practice is important, let’s talk about how parents can support their children in making it a daily habit.

3 Tips for Parents to Encourage Home Practice

1. Make It a Routine

Just like brushing teeth or doing homework, practicing should be a non-negotiable part of the daily routine. According to James Clear, when forming a new habit, it's beneficial to attach it to an existing one. Choose a regular time—whether it's before school, after

For younger students, setting a timer for a short, manageable session (even 5–10 minutes) can make practice feel less overwhelming. Small steps lead to big results over time.

2. Create a Positive Practice Environment

A designated practice area, free from distractions such as screens, siblings, or video games, can significantly impact progress. Encourage your child to customize their practice space with a music stand, plenty of light, and, if possible, a large mirror to allow students to watch themselves.

Parents don’t need to be musicians to show support. Simply listening, offering encouragement, or asking, "What’s your favorite piece to play today? What have you been learning at orchestra?" can make practice feel like a shared experience rather than a chore.

3. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

It’s easy to focus on mistakes, but celebrating small victories keeps students motivated. Praise effort, not just results—acknowledge when they focus well, improve a tricky passage, or simply stick to their practice schedule.

Setting achievable goals, like playing a short song for the family at the end of the week, can also give students something to work toward. Encouragement from parents can make all the difference in a child’s willingness to practice.

Conclusion

While home practice might feel like just another task on a busy schedule, it plays a crucial role in a child’s musical and personal development. By reinforcing learning, building independence, and fostering resilience, daily practice helps students grow not just as musicians but as resilient people.

Remember, slow practice leads to fast progress; fast practice leads to slow progress; no practice leads to no progress. I hope your musical journey is meaningful rather than short-lived. Have a good practice session. I am going to do mine now. Ciao!