Are you a musician who is thinking about this past year? Are you a musician who wants to reflect on the good and the bad, and look ahead to the next musical year?
As we start the new year, we find ourselves naturally looking back at the journey we’ve embarked upon. It has been a year of musical adventures, wins, and lessons. And for us as musicians, it is crucial to reflect back on our year musically and look ahead to the musical adventures of 2024.
Multi-tasking? Listen to the episode about this!
So here is a list of journal prompts to do just that:
Journal Prompts for the Past Year:
What was one really valuable thing you learned this year?
I learned that things might take longer than expected, but that is completely fine. As long as you stay consistent and work for it, if it is taking slower, that is fine. I learned this through working on the podcast. I had to learn a whole bunch of new skills, and it took longer than I realised. But now we have an amazing Confident Musicianing community, and I am so grateful for everyone in it.
What is one thing you thought you could do better in 2023?
For me, it’s being kinder to myself when things got harder with practicing. In the spring, my practicing was really good, but then in the summer, I found it harder to see my gains. I struggled to stay kind to myself through that. In Confident Musicianing, I talk a lot about being kind to ourselves. I fully believe in that because I know how hard it can be when we struggle with it.
After working on talking to myself kindly in the autumn, I started to see proper gains again.
What was one challenge that surprised you in 2023?
This one is a funny one. I had to go to the UK in March, and I realised that my American passport was not renewed. (My British one was, but I needed both to travel). So in the two weeks leading up to my trip, I had to get my American passport renewed — it was so stressful. I got my passport literally the day before I flew. I’m so glad it worked out.
What is the one thing that you are most proud of in 2023, musically?
For me, I am proud of working through all my auditions. This past year, I applied to 12 schools in 3 countries, and I auditioned for all of them. I learned an absolute ton about practicing, performing, and auditioning through that, and I am really proud of that.
Listen to a recording of yourself from 2022, where do you think you have improved?
After listening to a recording from 2022, I could tell that my tone has gotten better, as well as my breath control.
REMEMBER: When listening to recordings of yourself, listen objectively, not emotionally.
How was your practicing this year?
Overall, my practicing in the spring was really good. Then I struggled a bit in the summer, but after working on talking to myself kindly in the autumn, I started to see proper gains again.
Journal Prompts for the New Year
Set 3 musical goals for yourself in 2024
- Play 3 recitals
- Focus on my reed making and getting them consistently playable
- Moving to the UK for oboe!
What do you want to continue doing in 2024, musically?
I want to stay focused on practicing — keeping the same regime and continuing to use a practice journal.
What do you want to do differently in 2024, musically?
I want to supplement my focused practice time with some more fun, casual playing time — just enjoying the oboe as well as working hard at it.
What new thing do you want to start doing in your practice/performance in 2024?
I want to have a consistent warm up routine. I have a few warm up routines, but I want to combine them into the most beneficial routine.
What is one thing in 2024 that scares you?
Moving back to the UK.
What is one aspect of 2024 that you are looking forward to?
Moving back to the UK. This is really exciting and I can’t wait to see how it all works out.
Guess what? There are two more bonus questions for you! (and a video message from me)
They, and all the questions above are in a PDF just for you. Just put in your email below and I will send you your copy!
All my best and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Eleanor
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