[Dixielandjazz] Ensemble Playing Rules

Dan Augustine ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu
Sat Jun 21 18:24:24 PDT 2008


>Subject: Fwd: Ensemble Playing Rules
>Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:05:30 -0500
>>
>>I have often thought that much time and suffering would be saved if 
>>this one was observed. J
>>
>>
>>IMPORTANT RULES FOR PLAYING MUSIC IN AN ENSEMBLE:
>>
>>* Everyone should play the same piece.
>>
>>* Observe the repeat signs when what you just played was interesting.
>>
>>* If you play a wrong note, glare at one of the other players.
>>
>>* Carefully tune your instrument before playing. Then if you play 
>>out of tune, you can at least do it with a clear conscience.
>>
>>* A wrong note, played with authority, is simply your 
>>interpretation of the phrase.
>>
>>* If everyone gets lost except you, follow the ones who are lost.
>>
>>* Strive always to play the maximum notes per second. This will 
>>intimidate the weaker players and gain you the admiration of the 
>>ignorant.
>>
>>* Markings for slurs, dynamics, and accidentals should be 
>>completely ignored. They are only there to make the score look more 
>>complicated.
>>
>>* If a passage is difficult, slow down. If it is easy, speed up. 
>>Everything will even itself out in the end.
>>
>>* You have achieved a true interpretation when, in the end, you 
>>have not played one note of the original piece.
>>
>>* When everyone else stops playing, you should stop also. Do not 
>>play any notes you may have left over.

-- 



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