The hundreds of things we try to cram in a 30-minute lesson
Welcome to the Raising Musos blog/podcast, where we share music education tips to help parents support their child’s musical journey.
As music teachers, we often hear the assumption that a lesson simply consists of playing through pieces and receiving feedback. But the reality? There are so many elements we try to cover in a short 30-minute lesson.
Every lesson is a balancing act—building rapport, reinforcing previous skills, introducing new concepts, and finding time for all the essential aspects of musicianship. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens in a lesson and how teachers navigate these competing priorities.
Building Connection in the First Few Minutes
Before diving into playing, we want to check in with our students. How are they feeling today? Are they excited? Stressed? Tired?
Building rapport helps students feel comfortable and motivated, and it gives teachers an idea of what to expect from the lesson. If we remember something from last week—an upcoming test, a birthday, or a big event—we ask about it to show we care.
But here’s the challenge: we only have 30 minutes. We can’t spend too long chatting, or we’ll run out of time for actual music instruction. Some students, especially the chatty ones, might use this time to avoid playing altogether! A good teacher knows how to find the balance between fostering connection and maintaining focus.
Evaluating the Student’s Progress
After our check-in, we usually start by asking students to play what they’ve been practicing. This gives us insight into their progress and what needs improvement.
As a teacher, my brain is instantly flooded with a million things they could work on:
Are they using proper technique?
Are they applying dynamics and expression?
Is their tempo consistent?
Are they phrasing the music correctly?
But here’s the reality: we can’t correct everything at once. Overloading a student with criticism would be discouraging. Instead, we have to prioritize what to address based on their skill level, readiness, and time constraints.
The Never-Ending List of Lesson Activities
Once we’ve addressed a key improvement area, we move on to the rest of the lesson. But what exactly should we focus on? There are so many options:
Technical Exercises – Scales, arpeggios, and drills to improve finger strength and coordination.
Improvisation – Encouraging creativity by exploring different sounds, patterns, and musical ideas.
Sight-Reading – Strengthening the ability to play new music fluently without prior practice.
Music Theory – Understanding how music is structured, why certain notes work together, and how to interpret symbols on the page.
Music History & Appreciation – Exploring the historical context of pieces to deepen understanding and appreciation.
Performance Practice – Preparing students to feel confident playing in front of an audience.
Ear Training & Aural Skills – Developing the ability to play by ear, recognize musical patterns, and fine-tune intonation.
Composition & Songwriting – Encouraging students to create their own music.
Duets & Ensemble Playing – Learning how to play in sync with another musician to develop listening and rhythm skills.
With so many valuable skills to cover, it’s impossible to fit everything into one lesson! Teachers must make careful trade-offs based on the student’s level, interests, and long-term goals.
How Teachers Manage It All
Over time, I’ve developed strategies to maximize lesson efficiency:
Limit pieces – We typically focus on just one or two at a time.
Good enough vs. perfection – The standard of “good enough” increases as students progress, but we don’t dwell on perfecting every note.
Multitasking skills – We combine exercises, such as practicing scales while also working on ear training.
Fast-paced lessons – We keep things moving quickly, switching between different activities for variety.
Despite these tricks, there will always be some things we have to let go of. For example, I personally don’t focus much on composition, and I don’t always play duets with my students. Other teachers may prioritize those elements more.
Final Thoughts
Teaching music is an art in itself—balancing what students need, what they’re ready for, and what we can realistically accomplish in a short lesson.
If you’re a teacher, what do you prioritize in your lessons? If you’re a parent, what aspects of music education matter most to you? Is your child’s current teacher meeting those expectations? Let me know by sending me a DM on Instagram!
Want to learn more about the art of teaching music? Stay tuned for our next episode!
