My Cello New Year's Resolution 2013

Well, it's a bit late - but better late than never!

My 2013 resolutions are:

1. Finish Suzuki Book 2
2. Start learning how to do vibrato and use it in my playing
3. Play with a community orchestra 
4. More practicing, less organizing for my cello group! 
5. Post at least 5 videos by the end of the year - that will give me 2-3 months on each piece 
6. Keep up with my blog entries 
7. Work on sight-reading skills
8. More efficient practice time 

A look back at my 2012 Resolutions:

1. Stop worrying about how far I get in the Suzuki book and focus on getting each piece polished, getting them memorized and learning the technique - after Book 1 of course! ;). ...uummm.. screw this goal!! I need to get through these Suzuki pieces faster darn it!! That darn turtle has lapped me twice already! Turtle soup is definitely on the menu next year...
2. Learn vibrato - NOPE!! Although Clayton did show me some pre-vibrato exercises, but I haven't really practiced them. Does that count? ;)
3. Learn 2nd & 4th position better and practice it consistently 1/2 point! I've gotten more comfortable with 2nd position, but haven't really played in 4th position much or practiced it.
4. Be able to have consistent good intonation for 1st position - this should become second nature Well... intonation is something that needs to be worked on all the time. I'm much better at recognizing when I'm off. Point for this!
5. Start playing more improvisation NOPE!
6. Learn how to transcribe songs NOPE!  ..*sigh*...
7. Learn how to do jazz pizzicato on cello Kind of?? Not really jazz pizz - just have to use more of the fleshy part of my finger. It's more about learning jazz basics. I did attend a jazz cello workshop for beginners. 1/2 point! ;)
8. Start playing with other musicians YES! I play in a cello ensemble, have tried playing some jazz with a couple of guitarist (I was WAY over my head!!), played some cello duets with my co-worker and played duets with a pianist. 
9. Do some ear training YES! Although this wasn't a very good goal, since ear training should be part of practicing anyway right?
10. Practice shifts and extensions daily - I hate practicing these, I tend to avoid these because I'm not very good at this! 1/2 point! I've started practicing shifting more because of the Mooney's Position pieces. Not daily though... 
11. Focus on 1 or 2 pieces, instead of 3-4 pieces and other misc projects at the same time! Focus on assignments given and not what I want to work on or skipping ahead. I've discovered once I finally get to the piece I'm already bored with it because I worked on it before and its no longer fun and exciting! uummm..not going to happen?? Just too many things going on at one time! At least now I know this wasn't a very realistic goal. 

If I do 9 out of 11 goals, than I think I'll have met my goal for 2012. Well, not quite - although I think I may have set way too many goals to begin with! 

Some positives to end on - highlights from 2012:

1. Started a successful cello group/project - not quite ready to disclose the name, but I think I may later 
2. A lot of "firsts":
• First time I attended a cello workshop (I attended two!)
• First time I played with other musicians 
• First time I played in a cello ensemble 
• First time I played in holiday concerts (for two retirement communities!)
3. Got mentioned in a popular cello blog (SWEET!!) - Cello Practice Smackdown: http://cgda.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/new-blog/

Here's to another year of learning, growing and enjoying the art of cello playing! Cheers!!!! :D