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Small Ensemble Quote

Horn: Guess I’ll follow the flute then

Me: Or you can just... feel the music™️

Conductor: Yeah maybe don’t do that

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Our newest small ensemble, the Home Amella remix!<3 - mod Alphys

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Sounding Your Best in a Small Ensemble

by Audrey Williams

After playing with the same musicians for a while, I started to instinctively know how my chamber mates would react to and interpret various musical passages. I call this the ‘sweet spot’ of ensemble playing. This is the point where you don’t have to always mechanically think about what you’re doing anymore but can rather feed off the energy of your cast of players.

In a large orchestra setting, I usually feel like I can relax a little since the pressure isn’t on one person to present an artistic expression to the entire audience. On the other hand, playing in a small ensemble where I have to carry my whole section as the only principal player is a whole other ball of wax that requires so much more focus and effort. I was excited for the opportunity, but also nervous since I’d spent the past few years perfecting my solo cello act. I sought professional help from the Atlanta Symphony community school's chamber music intensive. I learned some helpful tips for anyone who's just getting started with chamber music:

Study the music and come to rehearsal with some ideas to try. You should look at a score and listen to a recording of the music (if you can find one) prior to rehearsal. This will help you come up with some musical ideas to experiment with and will make your rehearsals so much more productive.

Work as a group towards perfection. The group should work together to perfect phrasing, articulation, dynamics, intonation and balance.

Listen closely to what’s being played around you. You don’t want to trample over anyone’s solo nor should yours get lost in the fray either. You should listen to your ensemble mates to make sure you’re matching intonation and articulations. Instruments in the lower register may need to play out more so that the bass voice is audible. You may want to have an independent listener sit in on your rehearsal and critique your instrumentation balance if you’re not sure about what you’re hearing while you’re playing.

Practice thoroughly at home before coming to rehearsal. All members of the group should make a conscious effort to learn all notes and rhythms at home during individual practice sessions. The ensemble rehearsal is not the place to try to figure it out. This slows everybody down and takes time away from other music that needs to be looked at.

Make sure to have a copy of the full score, a tuner, and a metronome present whenever you rehearse. A full score should be readily accessible so that everyone can see how all of the parts are supposed to fit together.

Try to run through the entire piece or movement before you leave rehearsal. After you’ve had a chance to fix mistakes, phrasing, articulation, etc., you should try to pull everything together in a final play-through before you pack up. This will help to reinforce what you’ve rehearsed.

Ensemble chairs at rehearsal should be set up in the same arrangement that you’re planning to use in live performance. Rehearsals train your ears to hear your music a certain way, and if you’re seated next to someone different on stage, it will most definitely throw your ears and performance off.

These are just a few suggestions that should be helpful to any musician no matter their level of experience. As always, you should remember to have fun when you play! Music is a gift that should be enjoyed by all. Happy practicing!

Audrey Williams is an associate member of the Recording Academy and a blogger for Behind the Bridge.

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