Playing in an Ensemble: The Art of Making Music Together

By CHAT RMG

Playing in an ensemble is a unique and rewarding experience that brings musicians together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you are part of a concert band, orchestra, or small chamber group, mastering the art of ensemble playing requires teamwork, listening skills, and musical discipline. Here are some key aspects of playing in an ensemble and tips to improve your experience.

1. The Importance of Listening
   One of the most crucial skills in ensemble playing is active listening. You must be aware of the other musicians around you, matching tone, balance, and phrasing. Pay attention to the conductor and section leaders to ensure you stay in sync with the group.
2. Following the Conductor
   The conductor is the guiding force of the ensemble, providing cues for tempo, dynamics, and expression. Maintain eye contact with the conductor as much as possible and respond to their gestures promptly.
3. Blending and Balance
   A great ensemble performance requires musicians to blend their sounds seamlessly. Avoid overpowering others by adjusting your dynamics and tone to fit within the section and overall group.
4. Practicing at Home
   Individual preparation is essential for ensemble success. Practice your part thoroughly before rehearsals so you can focus on group cohesion rather than just playing the notes.
5. Communication and Teamwork
   Playing in an ensemble is all about collaboration. Work closely with fellow musicians, communicate musically and verbally when necessary, and be open to feedback to create a cohesive sound.
6. Developing Rhythm and Timing
   A strong sense of rhythm is fundamental in ensemble playing. Use a metronome during practice and internalize the beat to stay in sync with the group. Count rests carefully and be ready to enter precisely.
7. Expressing Emotion and Musicality
   Ensemble music is not just about playing notes—it’s about telling a story. Pay attention to phrasing, articulation, and dynamics to bring out the emotion in the music and create a compelling performance.
8. Enjoy the Experience
   Finally, playing in an ensemble is meant to be enjoyable. Take in the experience of making music with others, appreciate the camaraderie, and celebrate the joy of performing together.

By mastering these ensemble skills, you will not only become a better musician but also contribute to creating memorable musical experiences for yourself and your audience. Keep practicing, stay engaged, and enjoy the journey of making music together!

Tips for Musicians: Enhancing Your Practice and Performance

By CHAT RMG

Playing in a community concert band is a rewarding experience, but every musician can benefit from refining their skills. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, here are some valuable tips to enhance your practice and performance.

1. Develop a Consistent Practice Routine
   Consistency is key to improvement. Set aside regular time for practice, even if it's just 20–30 minutes a day. Establishing a routine helps reinforce muscle memory and build confidence.
2. Warm Up Properly
   Warming up before playing is essential. Start with long tones, scales, and simple exercises to get your fingers and embouchure (for wind players) ready. A good warm-up improves tone quality and reduces tension.
3. Focus on Technique
   Work on technical exercises such as scales, arpeggios, and articulation drills. These build fluency and dexterity, making it easier to tackle challenging passages in your music.
4. Practice with a Metronome
   A metronome helps develop a steady sense of rhythm and timing. Start slowly and gradually increase speed while maintaining accuracy.
5. Listen to Professional Performances
   Listening to professional musicians can provide inspiration and insight into phrasing, tone, and musical expression. Try to emulate their style and dynamics in your own playing.
6. Mark Your Music
   Use a pencil to make notes on your sheet music. Markings for dynamics, fingerings, and tricky passages can help you stay on track during rehearsals and performances.
7. Play with Others
   Playing with a group improves ensemble skills, such as listening, blending, and following a conductor. Attend rehearsals regularly and engage with fellow musicians.
8. Record Yourself
   Recording your practice sessions allows you to identify areas for improvement. Listen critically to your tone, rhythm, and phrasing, and make adjustments accordingly.
9. Stay Relaxed and Have Fun
   Music should be enjoyable! Stay relaxed while playing to avoid tension and fatigue. Enjoy the process, and don't be too hard on yourself.
10. Take Care of Your Instrument
    Regular maintenance ensures your instrument stays in top condition. Clean it properly, check for necessary repairs, and use high-quality reeds, strings, or mouthpieces as needed.

By incorporating these tips into your musical journey, you’ll continue to grow as a musician and contribute positively to your community concert band. Happy practicing!

Basic Music Theory

by Ron Goldenberg

For those of you interested in music theory I would recommend that you try the website

www.Musictheory.net

It’s not only written in an easy-to-follow format, but it is also extremely well done with examples and pictures. Topics range from notes, rests, time signatures and key signatures to intervals, chords/triads all the way to chord progressions and more complex topics. There is something for everyone at any level of experience.

And best of all …….. it is FREE!!

The Goldenblog - 2021, July 24th

Standard of Excellence Book 1 and 2
Get the backing accompaniment

by Ron Goldenberg

We use the Standard of Excellence books as part of our rehearsal repertoire from time to time.

The books come with CDs that play the band part for each practice piece as a background for your instrument’s part. When you are practicing on your own it is much more beneficial and enjoyable to play along with the accompaniment.
This music is available for free online.

For Standard of Excellence Book 1 go to:
https://kjos.com/standard-of-excellence-book-1-cd-part-1-2.html

For Standard of Excellence Book 2 go to:
https://kjos.com/standard-of-excellence-book-2-cd-part-1-2.html

You must click on the AUDIO tab to access the music.

Happy practising!!!
Ron

The Goldenblog - December12th

Playing Along with a Backing Track

by Ron Goldenberg

The most pleasurable moments that I have when playing alone in the depths of my basement are when I play along with a backing track. There are several kinds of backing tracks available but the ones that I purchase usually have several instruments playing a song in which the melody is left out. I fill it in with my saxophone. For instance, I purchased the backing track for the jazz standard Misty from jazzbacks.com (approx. C$11). The download came with PDF sheet music for the lead/melody instrument for three types of instruments: a C instrument (like a flute) a Bb instrument (like a Clarinet, Tenor sax, Trumpet …) and an Eb instrument (like an Alto or Bari sax…). It also came with a backing track with piano, drums and a bass.

You get your sheet music ready put on the track and away you go. You are the lead in a quartet! Sounds awesome and is a real rush.

I would like to share this great experience with you so I have put sheet music and a backing track on a Google drive which you can access at the link below. I have included the songs Misty and the Shadow of Your Smile for your playing enjoyment.

The sheet music for Misty is missing the first 4 bars and the 4/4 time signature. The first 4 bars are a rest and you come in on beat 4 of bar 5. I included a little audio segment for those of you who need assistance with the count in. The Shadow of Your Smile also has sheet music for bass instruments in C.

Please enjoy yourself thoroughly. I would love to hear from you to know what you think and how you are enjoying it. Please email me, rongold@videotron.ca.

Here is the link.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13dZMeU2r8eS6IvrvhPMTRXmo-POKNv7p?usp=sharing

Happy holidays to you and your families!