{file url /home/marv/AwikiMsEnsembleRules.txt}
{Fri Jun 13 20:37:53 2008}
this a test file for attaching to the aplwiki;  will be edited and put on home page in the seedbox section

{add pointer to Amherst page}


The Rules for Working in Ensembles


Here is a listing of all the rules of behavior you will ever need to find peace,
happiness, and excellence in ensemble playing. Just follow these five simple
rules and life will be wonderful, you will find bliss, contentment, and great
wealth as a member of a chamber music ensemble.


"I know that these rules work, because life becomes miserable every time I break
one of them." SR


(Click on an underlined blue word to view commentaries on a rule.)

Respect the abilities of your partners.
Try every idea before making a decision.
Make comments and encourage the others to do so.
Don't conduct all the time and don't follow all the time.
Always remember that the problem might be you.
Do not be thin skinned
Have fun--remember--you're playing.
Don't be a jerk.
Forgive others when they are jerks.
Hope they forgive you.
Talk about developing problems before they become big problems.
Don't be afraid to fight about the music, but fight fairly and keep an open
mind--be prepared to loose.
Do some social, non-musical stuff together.
Don't hang together all the time.
Discuss and agree upon goals and levels of commitment.
Change things sometimes.
Learn to give a good compliment.
Learn to take a good compliment.
Work for perfection.
Don't try to be too perfect.
Don't misunderstand each other.
Sound good together and enjoy it.
Leave extra-musical stuff outside the rehearsal.
Marry someone who can support you.

Well, friends, that's all there is to it. Its sooo simple. By the way, these are
all the rules. All five of them. There are no others. If you think you may have
discovered more rules (we don't think there are any more), please email them to
us for possible inclusion here.


The 24 rules (actually only five) have links to further explanations of each
rule. Click on any underlined word to read more about that rule. If you have an
insight, commentary, rebuttal, missive, dismissive, or illuminating story about
any of the explanations, please email them to us. We hope that this will become
a rather lively interactive discussion. Thanks.


The Amherst Saxophone Quartet is available to give workshops on the art of
working in ensembles. For booking information, email us.


Click to go back to