Here are 6 quick tips to help you succeed in your musical endeavors in 2013:
1. Set a goal
Notice I said a goal. It’s difficult to focus on too many different things at once, so just choose a few at a time.You want to be specific and realistic about your goals and focus on the process. For practicing, you could bump up your practicing from 4 to 5 sessions a week. To accelerate the post-holiday get back into the “shed” process, you can commit yourself to 2 to 3 interval 15 minute sessions daily five days a week for 12 weeks. Practicing in small 15 minutes blocks helps you focus and retain the information you are working on. Also, instead of thinking of practicing as a once a day event, pick it up when you have a few extra minutes (between commercials, while in the bathroom LOL etc.). Just five more minutes a day adds up: 365 days x 5 minutes= 1825 extra minutes a year,or 30 extra hours of time on the instrument pr. year.
2. Set small weekly goals that will build up and lead you to a larger goal
Small successes are crucial to keeping you on track; reaching each weekly goal will encourage you to set and achieve more goals. Instead of learning the whole piece what about just taking the first 4 bars or 8 bars? Working though a tune in this simple manner will help you grow much more confident and will make you sound stronger faster.
3. Keep your head in the game
Think about your goals daily. Keep a practice log. Write down what you are working on and how long on the log (just ask for a log next time you are at Musicology and place on your fridge/your computer/your practice area.
4. Find a musician/artist/person who inspires you
If you want to achieve something, find someone who has already done it and use that person’s accomplishments as inspiration.
5. Get excited about starting your goal
The best way to get excited about achieving your goals is to plan out the process. Work out all the details on a calendar. Get excited about the start date and make sure you are prepared and ready to begin.
6. Practice SLOWLY
When learning new material practice slowly, even out of time if necessary. Remember practice does not make perfect, practicing makes permanent . So when practicing the old adage ‘Measure twice, cut once’ rings very true indeed. Do not ‘perform’ instead learn the exercise/passage thoroughly (practice), then speed will not be an issue. Playing fast just means you know something really well 
HAPPY PRACTICING in 2013, let us work very hard and kill it this year!!