Key learning points

1. To develop an ensemble performance, it is important for all players to have learnt their individual parts thoroughly.
2. This ensures that players can play their parts accurately and fluently, and can focus on other aspects of performance.
3. When practising as an ensemble, it is crucial to ensure that both balance and timing are perfect.
4. We analysed an ensemble performance that demonstrated many effective features, with clear areas for improvement.

Keywords

• Tone - the specific timbre of a sound, not to be confused with the interval also called a tone

• Balance - the relative volume of different parts or instruments; effective balance is where every part can be heard clearly

• Fluency - how effectively a performance ‘flows’ seamlessly without interruption or hesitation

Common misconception