As the new school year begins, a Hong Kong student's after-school hours are always packed. Team training, various extracurriculars, tutoring and school homework come one after another; many children are home only by evening, and the time they can actually give to practice is quite limited. Precisely because the time conditions are unique, setting realistic, down-to-earth goals matters all the more.
A Three-Way Conversation Sets Realistic Goals
A plan that suits a Hong Kong child's rhythm is not decided one-sidedly by teacher or parent, but discussed together by parent, student and teacher. First map out the child's real free time after school, tutoring and homework, and design the practice arrangement on that basis — so playing becomes nourishment for life, not extra psychological pressure.
First: Are There Exams or Performances This Year?
At the start of planning, clarify a few practical questions together: are there plans for a grade exam, competition or public performance this year? If so, which pieces to prepare, and how to allocate the time around those milestones? Factoring in the rhythm of performances and exams in advance gives practice a clear direction. (See A New School Year: How to Balance Schoolwork and Piano Practice)
Exam or Not, Don't Neglect the Fundamentals
Whether or not there are exams or performances, don't neglect the root of learning music — foundational training. A complete musical foundation is not just finger technique, but all-round musicianship, covering several core parts:
• Listening: telling apart tempo and dynamics, identifying instrument timbres, catching the layers of melody and accompaniment, feeling the breath of a phrase.
• Reading: building the ability to read at sight, improving reading efficiency and reducing over-reliance on rote playing. (See Sight-Reading Isn't Last-Minute Cramming)
• Theory: not just for exams, but understanding structure, harmony and the emotional shifts of key, feeding back into actual playing.
• Background and appreciation: knowing the composer and a work's context, and listening widely to broaden musical horizons.
• Expression: reading the expression marks, judging the layers of a performance, and bringing personal feeling into playing — playing music with emotion, not just the right notes.
In Closing
Every child's academic pressure, available time and pace differ. Setting goals needn't blindly follow others' progress. Rooted in real time, with solid technique and musicianship, a child can walk alongside music steadily and happily. To plan a suitable direction for the new school year, you are welcome to book a one-to-one piano consultation.
Further Reading
A New School Year: How to Balance Schoolwork and Piano Practice
Planning Summer Practice: A Personalised Summer Music Roadmap
30+ Years of Teaching: There Is No Single Standardised Timeline in Music Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should set the new year's piano goals?
Best set through a three-way conversation between parent, student and teacher — first understanding the child's real free time after school, tutoring and homework, then designing the arrangement, rather than deciding one-sidedly.
With little time after school, can a child still learn well?
Yes. The key is a realistic plan built around the child's actual free time, valuing quality over quantity, so playing is nourishment rather than pressure.
Without an exam or competition, do we still need goals?
Yes. The focus can be on all-round fundamentals — listening, reading, theory, appreciation and expression — solidifying the base for the longer term.
Where should the focus be this school year?
Beyond exam pieces, don't neglect fundamentals. Complete musicianship includes listening, reading, theory, background and expression — the base for later breakthroughs.
Ms. Kannaz Kwok
30+ years of piano teaching experience. Holder of internationally recognised qualifications from the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.