Just a short post on this last evening of 2024 to pass on something that has helped me remain motivated and satisfied with my progress through pandemics, spine surgeries, moving to a small town with no gig scene or in-person students, and the desolation of rising authoritarianism in my home country.

When I say something, I actually mean two things:

Setting a huge goal for yourself—now is as good a time as any, but you can honestly do it any time you like, including to revise or abandon a goal that no longer fits your current situation or source of inspiration.

Setting a small, specific goal for every instance you play or watch someone else playing—private practice, your lesson, ensemble rehearsal, or concert you attend.

The Big Goal

Mine has been to work on a rotation of massive repertoire and get it under my belt. So, in 2020, I chose a few solo works (Prokofiev, Ysaÿe and Barber Sonatas, Britten solo suite). 2021, I chose the 6th Bach Suite, extending that into 2022 after the move to Connecticut and increasing spine problems interrupted my practice rhythm. 2023, I started the Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante, and this last year has involved a lot of work on specific Dvorak Concerto passages as well as the first two movements of the Shostakovich first concerto.

All of these pieces mean something to me, and represent aspects in my facility and musicianship that need attention and curation. You’ll notice these are huge works, and they won’t stay in my hands without returning to them again and again, so my current practice includes bits of each of these. I won’t go more than a month without cycling through bits of them, choosing whatever seems most meaningful at the time.

That’s one of the things I want folks to internalize: what you practice is not nearly as important as what you get out of it. There is no sense of lost time or too much to do when the work done on one piece directly contributes to competence in another.

So, set yourself a big goal and then revel in the work. The work is the point, it’s the way, it’s the everything.

Everyday Goals

These should be clear, specific, and manageable, especially for your lessons and practice. Here are some examples:

• I’m going to play these 8 measures at half speed until I get it right 5 times in a row
• I’m going to do [insert technical correction] for this entire practice session
• I’m going to relax during this difficult part, even though my habit is to tense up
• I’m going to keep at this task until I either see improvement or have real insight for the next time
• This lesson, I’ll keep my defensiveness in check
• This lesson, I’ll listen more than I talk
• This lesson, I’ll ask for clarification if I need it
• This lesson, I’ll allow myself to accept praise
• This lesson, I won’t apologize for being human
• I’m going to watch this cello section and see what each player has in common
• I’m going to watch this cellist and see how their tone corresponds to their bow’s point of contact
• I’m going to watch this quartet and notice the way they communicate with each other and emulate that in my own chamber playing
• I’m going to listen to this performance then go home and compare it to another interpretation, noting specifics, not just vibes

You get the idea. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I made all of these small goals for my own lessons, practice, and listening, and that’s why I’m sharing them with you. There is something incredibly empowering about making lessons a sacred space, a place where you can be the iteration of yourself you most want to be. When I was able to do this as an adult learner taking hockey skating lessons, my improvement went through the roof, and I enjoyed playing the game more (even though I was usually one of the less skilled people on the team).

I’ll leave you with this thought: your relationship to your instrument parallels the relationship you have with yourself, and progress in your approach to playing does not exist without context. Spend some time setting and succeeding at manageable goals, and you may notice that your music isn’t the only thing that improves.

Wishing each of you peace, abundance, and progress in the coming year.

Em