Where Are You Headed?

"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." –Zig Ziglar

While it's a bit cliche to think about goal-setting this time of year, it sure is a great opportunity to discuss the topic! Goal-setting is a crucial component to progress, and something I encourage all of my students to think about -- both long-term, as well as for each practice session and performance. Keeping a journal, or having a checklist somewhere you can regularly see it are helpful tools. Don't know where to start? Below are some ideas to get you started. 

Long-Term Goals:

• Perform from memory 
• Play a duet with a friend or family member 
• Learn a challenge piece 
• Be able to play every song in this book 
• Learn a new genre of music 
• Compose my own music
• Play my favorite pop song by ear 
• Participate in a local festival or judged competition
• Play holiday music for my family 

Practice Goals:

• Play a section of music with all correct notes, rhythms, and/or fingering
• Spend time today to learn this difficult passage I've been avoiding
• Play this phrase with an even crescendo 
• Be able to play a measure, phrase, or line 10 times in a row without any mistakes
• Get through this entire section or page without my music
• Sightread a piece from an easier book
• Transpose an easier piece to another key  
• Play the RH/LH only from memory 
• Listen to 2-3 recordings while looking at my music, and find places where I can do more musically 
• Work on clear pedaling and clear sound 

Performance Goals:

• Control my breathing 
• Work on focusing and listening throughout the entire performance 
• Be confident and trust all of the hard work you've put into learning this piece
• Take time and don't rush this section
• Listen for clear pedaling 
• Enjoy! 
• When you are done, write down 3-5 things that went well during your performance.