Lesson 30: Introduction to Ensemble Playing
- Play one part of a two-part piece against a recording of the other.
- Hold a steady tempo independent of the second voice.
Playing with someone else is half listening.
Ensemble playing teaches you to hold a tempo against another person's choices: you cannot rush, you cannot drag, and you must hear the other line even while your own is playing. If you do not have a duet partner, record yourself playing one part and play along with the recording.
Duet exercise — canon
Record the line below all the way through, then play along with the recording starting two bars later — an instant canon.
The line reads in C major on your alto staff (soprano's G major).
Duet exercise — two contrasting parts
Record the lower part first; play the upper part live against the recording.
Both parts read in C major on your alto staff (soprano's G major).
Now play these
- Frère Jacques
- Record the tune; start a second pass two bars later.
- Bobbing Joe
- Record it, then play along two bars displaced.
- Rufty Tufty
- Same drill, one repeat displaced.
When you can play one line of a duet against a recording of the other without either rushing or dragging, move on to Lesson 31.