You can use fps other than 30. 30 is standard for video, film would be 24, you can go lower for computer playback but whatevr you use will set the timing.   If you use 30 fps then a 10 second anim will be 300 frames , and an action that takes 3 seconds will cover 90 frames. You add keyframes only as needed, not every frame since the computer will handle the between frames.  

 

For very realistic movements you may use a lot of keyframes for very subtle movements.

 

Its probably best to start small and work up to bigger projects.