Breathe together, Move together, Play together
H - Sound Development
In this video, we experiment with various seating arrangements. The Ensemble setup can drastically change the overall experience of the performance for both the audience and performers. In the video, and in your own exploration of the exercise, take note of how the sound and ensemble engagement changes throughout. *Be sure to explore these staging positions in-person as mic positions may give extra boost of tone to a particular instrument that doesn’t necessarily occur during an in-person audience experience.
Benefits to having the cello positioned on the inside of the ensemble include a supportive blend from the bass through the treble sent out towards the audience as well as to the center of the ensemble. Cello on the inside also puts the viola in a position in which they have the opportunity to “power out.”
This exploration of directing the sound collaboratively increases the ensemble’s awareness of how their physical movement affects the sound and provides techniques to easily vary both their individual and collective acoustic tone colors. Allowing each ensemble member to experience the directional soundscape as an audience member gives immediate feedback to understand and embrace the necessity of movement to create an engaging performance. The experience also provides inspiration to apply movement and directional-sound production throughout rehearsals and performances.
Playing drone scales helps an ensemble develop necessary listening skills inspiring a deeper understanding of where each voice lies within a respective chord. The lessons learned offer an inspirational experience of color, texture, harmonic expression, and emotion across the ensemble.
This video demonstrates introducing a new student to the idea of using the whole chair in their playing. The concept of using the whole chair provides students with an additional tool to utilize movement more effectively in their playing.
In this activity, we utilize vibrato exercises with the ensemble to assist in developing each member’s vibrato skills as well as develop ensemble rhythmic integrity and a blended group sound. Vibrato exercises encourage ensemble members to develop and match a wide range of vibratos, varying in speed and width. Passing the leadership of the vibrato inspires members to use vibrato to its full expressive potential.