Developing key concepts of ensemble performance

Most of us are aware of the importance of communication in ensemble perfonnance, irrespective of the genre of music being performed. Subtleties of connection through visual and aural events, along with other key factors, help to shape a performance. In a performance, it is these connections that most often elevate the consequent musical output to a level beyond the expected.

This chapter seeks to examine and identify key factors that contribute to such performances and in turn offer suggestions as to how the performer, from student to professional, may become a better musician, in an ensemble sense. My practice-led research has been centered on examination and analysis of my own performances in detail, to identify the key factors that inform my playing, on the assumption that the way I approach playing music impacts directly on the way I teach music. This investigation focuses on the way in which we connect as musicians, and what contributing factors exist to assist us to produce successful collaborative ensemble improvisations.