Beyond the Timer: What Music Practice Actually Looks Like at Ages 11, 14, and 17

My three boys have been taking music lessons since they were between three and five years old. When Christopher and I first started talking about having a family, we knew music would be a core pillar of our lives. For us, music isn’t just about hitting the right notes; it’s a creative outlet and a powerful tool for brain development. Perhaps most importantly, music has served us as a lifelong anchor for mental health, and we wanted to give our boys a way to process emotions and find focus in a busy world.

Of course, creating practice routines and habits has not always been easy! We have used every strategy in the book—including plenty of bribery—over the years. I’ll share more posts in the future about what practice looked like in various ages and stages, but for now, here is a snapshot of where we are today:

Callum, 11 (Clarinet, Violin, Piano)

Callum is in Grade 6 and is a busy guy. He plays clarinet in both his school concert and jazz bands, plays strings at school, and takes private piano lessons. Currently, piano is his main focus.

He usually brings home his clarinet and violin on the weekends, practising them for 10–20 minutes each on Saturday and Sunday. For piano, he clocks between 15–35 minutes a day. While it "should" be more for the level he’s playing at, we intentionally balance his musical load with his need for free time. Using a visual timer works well for him. Other days, he simply works through his teacher's assignments—though if the session feels a bit too short, we aren’t above telling him to "do it all again!" He still appreciates having a parent sit with him, but we’re slowly building his independence by having him practice solo 2–3 times a week.

Noah, 14 (Electric & Upright Bass, Cello)

Noah is in Grade 9 and has fully embraced the bass, playing electric in Jazz Band and upright in Concert Band. He also recently joined the pit band for musical theatre and takes private cello lessons.

Out of all our kids, Noah is the one who gravitates toward his instruments the moment screens are off. Even though he’s moved on from formal piano lessons, he still loves to "noodle" and compose on the keys during his downtime, or when he is feeling frustrated (or avoiding doing his laundry). Bass practice usually happens at school, unless a concert with a tricky part is coming up. Cello has been a bit more of a transition this year; without the structure of a school orchestra, his practice isn't always as focused. However, he’s currently prepping a set of tunes to busk with a friend this summer, which has given him a fresh spark of inspiration. While our "goal" for him is 45 minutes a day, the reality is usually 15–20 minutes with a fair share of reminders!

William, 17 (Voice)

As the eldest, William is our most independent practicer. He’s in Grade 12 and heavily involved in musical theatre both in and out of school. After years of piano and off-and-on voice lessons, he recently started weekly vocal coaching again.

William is constantly singing. He goes over his repertoire over and over at home, but we enrolled him back in lessons to ensure he has a structured approach—specifically regarding vocal health. We want to make sure he’s warming up properly so he can protect his voice and build the technique he needs for his busy theatre schedule.

Overall, as a family we focus on progress over perfection. There are days when the instruments stay silent, and days when there is fighting over “who gets to practice first.” It helps to look at the bigger picture: that we are (hopefully) giving them a skill set they can carry with them into adulthood. Because in the end, it isn’t really about the minutes on the timer. It’s about building a lifelong relationship with music that will be there for them long after they move out. If that is where we are headed, all those years of reminding them to practice will have been worth it.

Interested in learning more? Taber Music School offers thoughtful, student-centered music education for learners of all ages and experience levels. Click here to view our lessons for teens.