To get better at playing the piano, putting in the hours to practise is vital, meaning that you will be spending lots of time in your practice room playing intermediate and beginner piano pieces. And that’s why setting up a conducive space that works for you is so important!
A space that is well-suited for practice is one that has everything you need within reach, is inviting and cosy for you to spend long hours in, and is designed ergonomically, so you won’t suffer from sitting uncomfortably.
If you are upgrading your setup or recently moved into a new home, here are some things you’ll want to consider while creating your very own musical haven!
1. The right piano
The most important thing in a piano practice room: The piano. If you don’t already own a piano, make sure to do some research on the most suitable type of piano for your current level and the type of music you want to play. Besides purchasing a piano, there are also options to rent a piano in Singapore.
And here’s a quick tip for those opting to get a digital keyboard instead of an acoustic one: not all keyboards come with pedals or music stands, so you may need to purchase them separately.
2. Piano bench
We highly recommend using an adjustable piano bench rather than a standard chair. Most people sit higher to play the piano than when on a regular chair, so you may feel an uncomfortable strain if you use just any old chair for your piano practice.
Also, chairs with backrests or armrests should not be used for piano practice, as they may encourage lazy sitting. When playing the piano, the body should not be leaning against anything so as to facilitate a freer range of movement.
3. Metronome
At some point in your practice, you will need a metronome to help you keep those running passages right on time. Even professional pianists use it regularly to build up their speed, consistency, and dexterity on the piano.
There are plenty of metronome apps available for phones and tablets these days, but we still prefer to do it the old-school way. The reason is simple: it reduces distractions from using digital devices during practice time.
4. The right room
If you plan on getting any practice done, we don’t recommend having your practice area close by to the television. Preferably, your practice room should be a quiet corner or room with minimal human traffic. This way, you won’t be easily distracted by other people or noises coming from them.
But there might be exceptions to this rule, for example, if your child is primarily the one playing the piano. They may actually prefer to practise in the living room where they have company rather than feel like they are being ‘banished’ to a room to practise. It will also be easier to supervise your child if the piano is somewhere easily visible in the home.
5. Extra seating
It’s always a good idea to have some extra chairs nearby, especially if you get piano lessons privately at home. Your teacher will need somewhere to sit while coaching you. Having some seating areas around your piano is also handy for occasions when you have an audience or other instrumentalists come over for collaborations.
Conclusion
We’ve covered some of the basic elements of a home practice studio, which will hopefully guide you along in creating your comfortable, happy place! Of course, you may choose to omit or add on some other components, like paying more attention to the décor to create a welcoming atmosphere or doing away with the metronome to embrace digital versions instead.
As for the indispensable element in your practice studio, discover affordable pianos you can buy or rent right here at Mun Kai Piano Company! We provide trade-ins and sales of used pianos, as well as pianos for rent in Singapore. Whether it be for an upright or grand piano rental or to purchase a used piano, try your hands on our selection of pianos to find the one that speaks to you when you visit us at our piano showroom in Ang Mo Kio!
