Ensembles

Playing in an ensemble, whether it's a quartet or an octet, is agreat opportunity to apply many of the things you are learning in class or from transcribing your favourite records.

Ensembles are usually formed for just one semester, to give students a variety of ensemble experiences. Here are some tips to get the most out of your ensemble experience.

First Session

Listen: Be partucularl attentive to other people's playing during the first session.Play simple and try to pick up on othre peoples phrases. It will create a good vibe if the other members of the band feel they are being listened to.
Judgement:: Don't be judgemental. Students will never sound their best in the first session, and amazing impovements can take plece ofver a 3 month semester, which is about 12 playing sessions.
Share Influences: Let the other members of the band know who your current insluences are, so tyhat they can adjust their playing to help you achieve your goals.

Intros and Endings

Transcribe from your favourite albuns a collection of great intros and endings, and be prepared to implement them "on the fly" duting your session. This will save a lot of discussions and will give you more time for other conversations about the music.

Solos

Most ensembles hinge of the important component of improvisation. Playing in an ensemble is a great opportunity to bring transcribed solos and attempt to plat fragmnents of these solos during the sessions. It is better to try and fail, than to stick to familiar and safe phrases. The purpose of an esnemble is to grow your vocabulary.

A good exercise is to try and quote prepared phrases or melodies (even standard songs) during your solo. While this may not be what you wish to do when constructing your own original solo, it's useful to use melodic material that has inherent strength, and to see how it fits in various harmonic situations. Each quote may then lead to further, original ideas.

Preparation

One way to prepare for an ensemble, even before you know what tunes you will play, is to make an inventory of all the harmonic devices you would like to use when comping. Thse can come from your favourite records, or you can jsut make them up.

It's a good idea to prepare these before your session, because it is not easy to conjure them up while playing, and the goal of your ensemble is to increase your harmonic vocabulary. These sessions are a great opportunity to puch your skills to the next level, and you shouldn't necessarily try to "play safe" all the time.

Repertoire

Sometimes the instructor will bring a set of peaces that he feels will be suitable for the group. However, be ready to propose some of your favourite standards, or even an original if you think the instrumentation is right.

Try and learn as many songs as possible, in your spare time, and identify any particular or characteristic harmonies in each song. These devices will come in handy for other musical situations.

Interaction

Interaction with other members of the band. Dont jsut play your own rhythmicand harmonic vocabulary, regardless what the other members of the band are playing, particularly the solois. Listen to what they are doing (or attemping to do) and look for ways to comment or enhance therse ideas. This will not only make the band sound better but will also enridch your vocabulary.

The must fun is to be had when there is acall and response between band members.

Final Advice

Finally, let's remember the importance of daily, sustained focus on the courses you are taking. Here is an inspirational quote:

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today"
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr. - Life's Little Instruction Book