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Presentation for the College Band Directors National Association
Southern Division Convention
February 21, 2002

Modus Operandi of Chamber Music

Your role as a member of a chamber ensemble is to make the other members sound good!  By being aware of the musical nuances of your colleagues and the musical nuance within your own playing, you can enhance the musical experience for both the performer and listener. 

To Lead or Follow?

There are times when you must lead musically, while at other times you must be a supportive voice for another.  You need to understand that leading and following is actually a simultaneous event in a musical situation.  Once you understand how the music is constructed you can better understand your role in any given situation.  In fact, many phrases you will play demand that you be both dominant and supportive within the same phrase. 

• Always be aware of the role your line plays at any given moment.
  
  
• The roles of dominant/supportive are not always rigid or even obvious. (Rarely will these roles be indicated on the page).
  
  
• If the voice is dominant, it should be perceived by the listener as a “complete” line.  Supportive voices must fit within the dynamic context that the dominant voice sets.
  
  
• Supportive voices that are in unison rhythmically with or harmonize the melody, should blend into the dominant voice and not try to attain a separate personality. 
  
  
• Supportive voices that function as counter-melodies or have a distinct rhythmic role, should adopt a more prominent dynamic and timbral presence. 
  
  
• The group’s interpretation should dictate the appropriate dynamic level of a particular line in any given situation. 
  
• You should try to attain a supple interaction of voices within the group.  It should be multiple voices moving as if played and perceived by one person.
  
  
• The dominant voice is responsible for determining the degree of rubato and flexibility in any given situation.

Chamber Music Protocol

Ask more questions than you give answers!  A good musician will always consider your question thoughtfully and make adjustments accordingly.

Never criticize a colleague with your playing!!!

Be cognizant of individual vibrato.  Ex. If you are using vibrato while you are doubling the horn, guess who is at fault???

Play with your best tone at all times.  Balance, blend, and intonation suffer immediately if you don’t. 

If you hear intonation trouble within the group…make certain your “front porch” is clean before raising the issue!!!

Once the group agrees on a tempo, articulation, style, etc.  Do not forget it!!!

Much rehearsal time is wasted reviewing what you should have marked the first time.  This is your responsibility!

Make certain that you have ALL of your equipment at ALL rehearsals. 

The beginning of rehearsal in NOT the time for you to warm-up.  Be absolutely prepared to play at the given time. 

Always compliment your colleagues when they play well!

Attitudes are contagious…make sure yours is one we want to catch!!!!

Most of all enjoy the experience! Making music with people you enjoy and admire IS the reason you play chamber music. 

Mark Britt
Dr. Britt teaches at Furman University (Find out more about the Author)