how often?

piano practice!
Ok, you've got the hardware wired and the software config'd.

How often should you practice?

First, you MUST find a song within your capabilities that you ABSOLUTELY LOVE !!
   Then, you may not even be askin' yourself that question.

Some folks work more than 40 hrs/week, have a 2+ hour commute,
   have little kids, and chores and family outings and, ugh, tv.

   SCHEDULE a time of the day awayyy from your family/responsibilities.

   If you're just plain OUT of time,
      wake up earlier, schedule 30 mins on the treadmill
                                  (gives your brain stamina), and WATCH LESS TV!
   Play for 10 minutes.  On bad days, just quit after doin ONE thing.
   Take frequent breaks to walk around and think.

   Your family is NOT to bug you lest they endure "THE SNAP"...
      They'll learn what that is...
      Interrupt you and cause your beautiful song to crash to a halt,
        AND THEY GET THE SNAP...
   They need to tap you on the shoulder and WAIT (possibly 5 minutes)
   until you're done!!  And then, ONLY in an emergency.

I find an absolute minimum amount of practice to be
   a half hour / 4 days a week.
   Less than that and you start forgetting what you learned :(
   And, of couse, you won't make much progress...

You'll also find your fingers "automatically learn" while you sleep!
   Practice the night before.
   If the next day finds you in a decent mood, you may be surprised that your
   fingers "know more" now :)
   Overnight, your brain/nerves rewire and "optimize" themselves.  Wonderful!

The more you practice, of course, the faster "progress" will be.

Once you prepare for what you need to do,
   and once you actually make it through that FIRST SONG,
   you'll be HOOKED !!
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Next up,
   Do you need a teacher?