Brass Bands ‘Ins and Outs’ for 2026

How This Brass Bander is Approaching 2026

It’s a new year - definitely not a new me though. I’ve spent 29 years maintaining the current model of Liv, I’m not starting again with a new one. However, I’m not against the idea some small repairs and renovations though.That is what this blog is about. No major regime changes, just rejecting what doesn’t work anymore and implementing some new features to hopefully help take my playing to the next level. 

I’ve made the decision that 2026 (as much as feasibly possible) is the year where I’m ‘locking in’ to my banding and trying to get as far as I can with my technique and playing ability. After allowing a couple of weeks to ease myself into the new year, these are the things I’m leaving behind in 2025 and taking forward into 2026 to make the most of my brass banding!

2026 Brass Band ‘Outs’ 

Here is what I’m throwing away from a playing perspective in 2026:

Giving Insecurity Headspace

From imposter syndrome to over-analysing every note of every performance or recording, insecurity has had too much of a say in my playing for too many years now. It’s like that kind of ‘ex’ that you keep trying to break up with because you know they’re no good for you - they keep dragging you down and making you feel rubbish - yet, they won’t leave you alone and you keep going back to them and they keep filling your head with rubbish. 

This insecurity has manifested itself in a variety of ways. I’ve had last minute doubts before going on stage, which has taken the enjoyment out of some performances. I’ve held myself back from opportunities, because I’ve panicked that I’m not good enough. I’ve even deleted video takes of my playing or consciously shifted how I’m sitting/standing on stage, not because I wasn’t happy with how I sounded or wasn’t physically comfortable, but because I was I worried I didn’t look ‘pretty’ enough - double chin sticking out, eyebrows waggling, tummy looking tubby etc. 

Well, no more. 

2026 is the year I’m breaking up with insecurity. I’m going to sit it down and say:

“Hello, it’s over. This isn’t working - it’s not me, it’s you. This relationship doesn’t serve me and is holding me back. I wish you well, but jog on!”

I’m hoping that letting go of my toxic relationship with insecurity, will make room with a more fulfilling and healthier relationship with self-confidence. It’s a relationship that is more high-maintenance and will require a lot more work, both from a musical and psychological perspective, but it will be far more rewarding.

Procrastinating

Oh, talk about the habit of a lifetime! Whether it's putting practice off, even though I'll be more annoyed and tired when I get there later in the evening, than if I just do it at a sensible time or faffing about on my phone in a practice session, or putting off tasks for the blog or other opportunities because self-doubt is creeping in. Procrastination is the bane of my existence and I've got nobody to blame but myself!

Thinking about results before the performance

Whether it’s worrying whether I’m going to be happy with a solo performance or worrying about my band getting the result we want before I’ve taken one footstep onto the stage, I feel like I’ve been shooting myself in the foot with this ‘putting-the-cart-before-the-horse’ way of thinking. It’s not productive, it adds pressure and, quite frankly, it’s just not a logical way of thinking about performance. It means I’m not present in the performance, and I’m using the brain space that I could use to either prepare myself for a performance or be more present on stage and therefore have more chance of influencing the outcome rather than worrying about it. This way of thinking is going in the bin.

The focus of progress can end up being trophies or contest results, rather than actually making long-lasting improvements to your playing. There’s also the fear that contest results highlight what calibre of player you are and in 2026, I’m doing away with that line of thinking. 

The real result that matters is making progress that sticks and ending 2026 being a better player than I was in 2025. The real trophy is being part of a band that makes you enjoy your banding and where your time spent in that band feels rewarding.  

2026 Brass Band ‘Ins’

Here is what I’m going to try and embrace more of in my brass banding in 2026.

Sightreading Practice

Oh my days - this is needed! Sightreading has been a weakness for my entire playing life and although it is unbelievably better than it used to be, it’s still a weakness. I think I will always be a ‘practiser’ - I’m never truly comfortable having to do a dep gig where I’m sightreading. No, that’s an understatement. Doing a gig where I haven’t seen the music before hand, fills me with more dread and worry than anything else in my playing life. Sightreading me and practiced me are two completely different people. I’m not saying that I need like two weeks to prep for a dep gig, but having the music a few days before is preferable. 

Having said that,  I want it to be less of a weakness than it currently is and you can’t bank on having the time/opportunity to practice for every playing opportunity, so it’s a skill that is useful to have in my back pocket. So, sightreading is going to be a dedicated section of my practice sessions going forward. I already know I’m not going to enjoy it, but I’m going to see it like exercise - I’m not going to like it, but it’s good for me and the results will (hopefully) make it worth it!

Seeking joy in all aspects of playing

Now, a lot of my ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ sound like I’m taking this year very seriously, and in some ways, I am! I genuinely want to see how much progress I can make this year and I’m lucky that I think I’m in the right environment and have the right people around me to do it - I just need to have the right mindset. 

However.

For the 29 years I’ve been on this planet, I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist. I can always be doing something better, which you know isn’t necessarily a bad thing for progress, but too much of it can kill enjoyment. At the end of the day, I’m not playing for a living - this is supposed to be enjoyable, as much as it is a skill I want to continue developing. So, in personal practice, rehearsals, performances - I will be looking for an equilibrium between discipline for progress and seeking joy in my music-making.

Taking notes after rehearsals

I used to be in the habit of taking a notepad to rehearsals and noting down key pieces of information for my practice sessions, bars I need to prioritise, important information and advice from the musical director. It was really useful…so, I don’t really know why I stopped doing it. So, we’re bringing that back. I might make a point of sharing those notes on It’s Not a Trumpet, if I think they’re in anyway useful or entertaining to you - we shall see!

Here’s to Making 2026 the Best Banding Year

So, those are my main goals for this year, how about you? Whether you’re looking to make progress, learn new things or just simply enjoy your banding, I hope 2026 brings you everything you’re looking for in your music-making and you have a brilliant year!

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