From the video you just watched my team and I stated that networking, goal setting, time management, practicing, and "engaging your creativity" are the top five skills a musician needs in order to be successful. They are ranked by priority starting with Number 5: networking.
Networking is all about getting your name out in the world. In society today, there are tons of unknown artists that are very talented but to make the right the connections. Connections in music can be easily made in all sorts of ways. For example, going to summer music festivals/camps are a great way for young musicians to start making connections. This is because usually the people who run or own these events can open a whole new branch of opportunities that were not tangible in your current social status. Also your music teachers are a rich source of networking because they have been in the music world for years and are more than likely to know a lot of people that can help you get a job in the near future. Even more simple than teachers are your colleagues and friends in music. You never know when you're going to need them down the line because maybe they're the ones sitting behind the table interviewing you for a job. Essentially, networking is a skill that has more of an accumulative effect on your career therefore the sooner you start the better off you will be in the long run.
Goal setting and time management. The reason why I am explaining them together is because they work really well together. As a musician time management is extremely crucial. Auditioning, performing, practicing, free lancing, networking, etc. they all take a good portion of time. Finding the balance between everything can sometimes become overwhelming. This is where goal setting becomes your best friend. Not just regular goal setting but S.M.A.R.T. goal setting. S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Specific, Time Manageable, Achievable, Relevant (not in acronym order). Specific means to keep it clear and very precise. For example, "I am going to practice the Weber Clarinet Concerto movement one". Not only did I say I was going to practice the solo, but specific the section I would practice in the solo. Next is Time Manageable. Every goal needs a deadline so that way you are more motivated to find an efficient and time affordable way to successfully achieve the goal. Achievable. Achievable refers to if you are able to complete the goal with the current resources and time allotted to you. If you make a goal that is far beyond your abilities not only are you making life hard for you but you are also wasting time in a goal that could be used to complete other goals. Finally, relevancy. Relevancy, in my opinion, is the most important part of S.M.A.R.T. because whats the point achieving the goal if doesn't improve any aspect of your life. From a musician perspective, how does this goal improve your skills? Will increase your chances of landing the job? These questions are important to ask yourself because time is moving forward and its not waiting for you to make irrelevant decisions. No matter how big or small the goal is be smart. This skill will not only bring time balance but develops a system of discipline to get jobs done which every employer looks for in a person.
Practicing. This one is pretty explanatory. Pretty much you must PRACTICE PRACTICE AND PRACTICE!!!!!!!! There's no way you can become a better musician if you do not practice. If the music is giving you issues practice extremely slow to the point it bothers you how slow you're practicing. This skill is the bread and butter to a musician and must be treated with great care because in the end when you're not practicing there is someone else who is and little by little getting better than you.
Finally, engaging your creativity. I made this skill number one because this where you make your signature as a musician. As shown in the video, this skill doesn't have an example to it because there's no standard for creativity. Through practicing, goal setting, time management, and networking its all about getting creative. It's something that can only be found within yourself. What's that one thing that makes you different from the rest of musicians out there? What's going to be the defining motif of how you played the solo compared to how the hundreds of other musicians played it? Find the creative voice inside of you and use it to make your imprint onto the musical world.
Networking is all about getting your name out in the world. In society today, there are tons of unknown artists that are very talented but to make the right the connections. Connections in music can be easily made in all sorts of ways. For example, going to summer music festivals/camps are a great way for young musicians to start making connections. This is because usually the people who run or own these events can open a whole new branch of opportunities that were not tangible in your current social status. Also your music teachers are a rich source of networking because they have been in the music world for years and are more than likely to know a lot of people that can help you get a job in the near future. Even more simple than teachers are your colleagues and friends in music. You never know when you're going to need them down the line because maybe they're the ones sitting behind the table interviewing you for a job. Essentially, networking is a skill that has more of an accumulative effect on your career therefore the sooner you start the better off you will be in the long run.
Goal setting and time management. The reason why I am explaining them together is because they work really well together. As a musician time management is extremely crucial. Auditioning, performing, practicing, free lancing, networking, etc. they all take a good portion of time. Finding the balance between everything can sometimes become overwhelming. This is where goal setting becomes your best friend. Not just regular goal setting but S.M.A.R.T. goal setting. S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Specific, Time Manageable, Achievable, Relevant (not in acronym order). Specific means to keep it clear and very precise. For example, "I am going to practice the Weber Clarinet Concerto movement one". Not only did I say I was going to practice the solo, but specific the section I would practice in the solo. Next is Time Manageable. Every goal needs a deadline so that way you are more motivated to find an efficient and time affordable way to successfully achieve the goal. Achievable. Achievable refers to if you are able to complete the goal with the current resources and time allotted to you. If you make a goal that is far beyond your abilities not only are you making life hard for you but you are also wasting time in a goal that could be used to complete other goals. Finally, relevancy. Relevancy, in my opinion, is the most important part of S.M.A.R.T. because whats the point achieving the goal if doesn't improve any aspect of your life. From a musician perspective, how does this goal improve your skills? Will increase your chances of landing the job? These questions are important to ask yourself because time is moving forward and its not waiting for you to make irrelevant decisions. No matter how big or small the goal is be smart. This skill will not only bring time balance but develops a system of discipline to get jobs done which every employer looks for in a person.
Practicing. This one is pretty explanatory. Pretty much you must PRACTICE PRACTICE AND PRACTICE!!!!!!!! There's no way you can become a better musician if you do not practice. If the music is giving you issues practice extremely slow to the point it bothers you how slow you're practicing. This skill is the bread and butter to a musician and must be treated with great care because in the end when you're not practicing there is someone else who is and little by little getting better than you.
Finally, engaging your creativity. I made this skill number one because this where you make your signature as a musician. As shown in the video, this skill doesn't have an example to it because there's no standard for creativity. Through practicing, goal setting, time management, and networking its all about getting creative. It's something that can only be found within yourself. What's that one thing that makes you different from the rest of musicians out there? What's going to be the defining motif of how you played the solo compared to how the hundreds of other musicians played it? Find the creative voice inside of you and use it to make your imprint onto the musical world.
By Janae
ReplyDeleteI like how you went into detail about each skill that musicians need. They all really explain how important it is to have them. I also wanted to know when your practicing is it good to practice with other people that play the same instrument as your or is it better to have one-on-one attention with a music teacher?
Both are great ways of practicing the teacher is the preferred choice because they're more knowledgeable but practicing with friends work just as well too because it makes playing in front of people a lot more easier.
DeleteNice article, Although I'm not a musician, I practice my instrument from time to time, It's really helpful.
ReplyDelete