Imagine a sports team where every player knows exactly what they are supposed to do but they don’t know what anyone else is going to do.
Chaos, right? Quarterbacks and receivers on different routes, shortstops throwing to bases that aren't covered and goalies not paying attention during corner kicks - it's the same as an oboist playing staccato while hornists play legato, or a conductor beating Beethoven's 5th in 5!
What if the players don't know what play the coaches want to run? That’s an orchestra where the players don’t have ensemble skills.
A famous player once said, I have been asked to give a lecture on intonation. Here is my lecture: those who know how to play in tune adjust to those who don’t.
This tells a lot about this player and the world famous ensemble in which he plays principal. Primarily it says that they do not have a leader, policy, practice or culture that tells them how to play in tune. What system are they using? What exactly does that mean?
Those of you who are now thinking the musicians have to know 'how to play in tune' or they are unqualified to play in that group are missing the point. Sure they know about it and generally what it means. Some of them will be able to talk in terms of cents difference and different intonation schemes. Some will have differing opinions of what it means or how to apply it. Many players just hope they sound OK and never think about it.
Can you imagine a sports coach telling his players that whatever their theory is is OK with the coach?
Some sections tune from the bottom up and some tune from the top down. Both ways can produce fantastic results - but only if everyone in the section knows which way you are tuning.
Players in an ensemble should know
If you are leading the ensemble and the players don’t know these things the ensemble is not going to perform at their highest ability. Spend the time to train them! Demand that they get it right!
Chaos, right? Quarterbacks and receivers on different routes, shortstops throwing to bases that aren't covered and goalies not paying attention during corner kicks - it's the same as an oboist playing staccato while hornists play legato, or a conductor beating Beethoven's 5th in 5!
What if the players don't know what play the coaches want to run? That’s an orchestra where the players don’t have ensemble skills.
A famous player once said, I have been asked to give a lecture on intonation. Here is my lecture: those who know how to play in tune adjust to those who don’t.
This tells a lot about this player and the world famous ensemble in which he plays principal. Primarily it says that they do not have a leader, policy, practice or culture that tells them how to play in tune. What system are they using? What exactly does that mean?
Those of you who are now thinking the musicians have to know 'how to play in tune' or they are unqualified to play in that group are missing the point. Sure they know about it and generally what it means. Some of them will be able to talk in terms of cents difference and different intonation schemes. Some will have differing opinions of what it means or how to apply it. Many players just hope they sound OK and never think about it.
Can you imagine a sports coach telling his players that whatever their theory is is OK with the coach?
Some sections tune from the bottom up and some tune from the top down. Both ways can produce fantastic results - but only if everyone in the section knows which way you are tuning.
Players in an ensemble should know
- Whether they are playing texture, rhythm or the lead at all times
- Who is playing texture, rhythm or lead at all times
- Who is listening to you
- Whom to copy (volume, style, etc)What a conductor does (patterns, prep beats, etc)
- How to tune and balance
- What style of music you are playing and how they need to play to express that style
If you are leading the ensemble and the players don’t know these things the ensemble is not going to perform at their highest ability. Spend the time to train them! Demand that they get it right!
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