Golden Rules
for Ensemble Playing
1] Everyone should play the same
piece.
2] Stop at every repeat, discuss
in detail whether to take the repeat; the audience will
love this.
3] If you play a wrong note, give
a dirty look at one of our partners.
4] Keep fingering chart handy; you
can always catch up with the others.
5] Take your time, turning the pages.
6] Tune your instrument carefully.
You can play out of tune all night with a clear conscience.
7] The right note at the wrong time
is a wrong note [and vice versa]
8] If everyone gets lost except you,
follow those who got lost.
9] Strive to get the maximum NPS
{notes per second}, and you will get the admiration of the incompetant.
10] The markings for slurs, dynamics and
ornaments should not be observed they only embellish the score....
11] If a passage is difficult, slow down;
if easy, speed up. It all works out in the end.
12] If you are completely lost, stop everyone
else and say: I think we should all tune.
13] Happy are those who have not perfect
pitch, for theirs is the kingdom of music.
14] If the Ensemble must stop because of
you; explain in detail how you became lost. Everyone will be interested.
15] A true interpretation is realized when
there remains not one note of the original.
16] When everyone is done playing, you
should not play any notes you have remaining. If you have notes leftover,
play them on the way home.
17] A wrong note played timidly is a wrong
note. A wrong note played with Authority is an interpretation!
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