12/03/2021
What are your Sax Goals for this month?
We can spend our days waiting for the next "announcement" or being annoyed at events or decisions mostly beyond our control. This gains us little but frustration and certainly doesn't inspire us to hit the sax.
Instead, we should focus on what WE can ACHIEVE. As sax players we are constantly trying to improve. Maybe clean up the sound, learn a new technique, play a difficult passage from our favorite song. This can be both DAUNTING and OVERWHELMING and just as above, can lead to you not playing.
Setting a sax goal dramatically helps this! By having something to AIM for you will WANT to get there. Make sure you can measure your improvement weekly, this will motivate you to carry on when things are difficult as you'll see how far you have come.
So, let's set a goal for the next few weeks...
It could be...
Playing each day this month or 5 days / 3 days a week for the next month.
Simply get your sax and play it for X number of days in a row. Don't think too hard about it, just get it out and enjoy. (The song packs are amazing for this - 5 songs to just play along with, no planning or research needed. Just get started.)
Here is the most popular song pack:
https://saxcasts.teachable.com/p/sax-play-along-pack-2-easy-to-intermediate
Recording a video.
Choose a song you love and post a recording to the group warts and all. This group is FULL OF SUPPORT. You'll get feedback and pointers from peers and professionals. The next week record it again, note the improvement. You'll be amazed at the difference. Prove to yourself that you CAN do this.
Improving a particular aspect of your playing
You could choose to improve a particular aspect of your playing. I'd suggest choosing a song you really enjoy playing and focus on improving your chosen element within that piece.
For example, I've noticed a lot of people mentioning rhythm this week. If you are struggling to play your saxophone in time then take a small 4 bar/measure part from the piece. Grab your metronome and start looping that section. Change the speed and how often the metronome clicks. Again, record yourself playing the song on day 1, work your rhythm for the following week then record it again. I bet it'll be far tighter!
I did a course on the system I use for helping people feel and count rhythm, trust me - it works for everyone. You can grab it here:
https://saxcasts.teachable.com/p/rhythm-mastery-live-how-to-feel-and-count-music-like-a-professional-musician
Aim to join the open mic
Woody Haiken runs a monthly zoom session why not join the next one as an observer then aim to play at it next month? It's great fun and full of friendly sax players just like you.
Tell me what your goals are this month below or if you're planning on trying something I suggest above.
To your saxophone success,
Dan
Learn how to count and feel music like a professional musician with this LIVE training full of rhythm exercises, Q and A and practical tips.
