Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your saxophone playing? You’re practising, but progress is slow. You run scales, play through your favourite tunes, maybe even work on some challenging exercises—but it still feels like you’re not moving forward. Sound familiar? That’s because practice without clear goals is just repetition. And repetition alone doesn’t guarantee improvement.
In today’s vlog (watch it above), I break down how to set meaningful practice goals that will actually stick. If you’re serious about making real progress this year—whether it’s refining your tone, expanding your improvisation skills, or prepping for a big gig—this is how you do it.
1. Stop Practising Without a Plan
If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, you’ll never know if you’ve arrived. Random practice is a great way to waste time. Instead, start each session with a clear objective. Ask yourself:
- What specific skill do I want to improve today?
- What’s my biggest weakness right now?
- How will I measure my progress?
Practising with intention leads to results. Playing aimlessly leads to frustration.
2. Set SMART Goals for Your Saxophone Practice
You’ve heard this before, but let’s apply it to your playing. Your goals should be:
- Specific – “Improve my tone” is vague. “Develop a fuller sound by focusing on long tones at different dynamic levels” is better.
- Measurable – How will you know you’ve improved? Recording yourself regularly is a great way to track progress.
- Achievable – If you’re new to altissimo, don’t set a goal to nail the entire range in a week. Break it down.
- Relevant – Make sure your goals align with your musical ambitions. If you want to be a better soloist, work on phrasing, not just speed.
- Time-bound – Give yourself a deadline. “Learn this bebop lick by Friday” keeps you accountable.
3. Prioritise Consistency Over Intensity
Practising for five hours in one day and then skipping the next three isn’t productive. A structured 30–60 minutes daily will do more for your playing than marathon sessions that leave you burnt out. Quality over quantity.
4. Use a Practice Journal
Write down your goals, track your sessions, and review your progress. It’s easy to forget what you worked on last week if you don’t document it. Plus, looking back at your progress can be incredibly motivating.
5. Challenge Yourself, But Stay Realistic
Improvement happens when you push your limits—but don’t set yourself up for failure. If you’re struggling with fast articulation, don’t just crank up the metronome and hope for the best. Slow it down, get it right, and build speed gradually.
6. Make Your Goals Public
Tell your teacher, bandmates, or even post your goal online. Accountability works. If people know what you’re working towards, you’re more likely to stick with it.
7. Watch the Vlog for More Tips
If you want a deeper dive into how to structure your practice sessions and make meaningful progress, watch the vlog above. I break it all down step by step and give you practical examples you can apply immediately.
Final Thought
Musicians who set clear, structured goals improve faster than those who don’t. It’s that simple. So, stop wasting time, define what you want to achieve, and start practising with purpose.
What’s your number one practice goal right now? Drop it in the comments and let’s keep each other accountable.