As a follow-up to last year’s lesson (it still applies to this year!) I want to suggest you set some SMART goals.

I couldn’t really put it any better myself, so I thought I’d share with you this video by Kirk. Superb player and an inspiring person – thanks, Kirk!

Using a tasty visual aid, Dan explains how best to approach your practice.

Over the years I’ve picked up some ‘secrets’ that have enabled me to become better at practising and, more importantly, using my practice time efficiently. I share them with you in this video lesson.

I find the most important thing to do when practicing is to make sure I PLAN what I hope to practice. Sometimes just having a ‘blow’ can be a useful exercise, but more of than not you spend the time impressing yourself and very little time actually improving.

I LOVE reading biographies of people who have made a difference in the world. One key theme is that those who made a difference allowed themselves to dream AND set goals which could make that dream possible. They managed to turn down the volume of that voice that limited what they could achieve and allowed themselves to dream.

I shot this video during the summer when my friend John Bowen, an award-winning composer and pianist, visited my studio.

One of the most important lessons I learnt from Branford Marsalis was the importance of using Classical music when practicing.

Here is a video from Alto player Ted Nash talking about practice. It was great to talk to Ted at the recent Jazz At The Lincoln Centre concert in Cambridge.

I find that practising and during the festive period can be hard work. These tips give you the chance to remain in the spirit of the season, whilst continuing to practice.

In this lesson I reflect on what I’ve practised in the last ten years and what effect that has had on my playing ten years later.