Ensemble and rehearsal exercise: Practicing one’s own part with others’ recordings
Students record audio or video of their individual parts in a specific piece, either at home or in class, as part of an ensemble or orchestra, and share these recordings with other ensemble members through file sharing. They then practice their own part in coordination with the recorded part of others, essentially rehearsing by playing along with the recorded part.
This activity serves as a practice method that runs concurrently with the ensemble or orchestra’s live rehearsals during class sessions and can be organized to take place over several weeks.
Navigate the different aspects of the activity here
The purpose of the activity
- To improve mastery of one’s own part
- To develop the ability to listen and respond to what others are playing while focusing on one’s own part
- To encourage additional practice
Target audience
Music students and conservatory students
Technology/setup
- Video camera or audio recording via mobile phone or tablet
- A platform to share videos, such as the institution’s Learning Management System (LMS) like Moodle or Speedadmin, email, a closed Facebook group, shared drive, etc.
- A room for recordings if done during class
- Mobile, tablet, or computer to access recordings
Requirements
Teacher
- A strong mutual trust with the students
- Willingness to follow up on the recordings and facilitate their sharing
Student
- Willingness to make and share recordings
- Prepared to thoroughly practice their own voices
- Understand how to access recordings where they are made available
Before, during and after the activity
BEFORE
The teacher
- Prepares students thoroughly for what will take place, how it will work, and the reasons behind it
- Plans for who does what and when, including when in the rehearsal process the recordings should be made and exchanged. This could be in the first or second session
DURING
The teacher
- Follows up to ensure everyone records their part and practices their own part against another recorded part at home
- Continues regular in-person practice where students meet and play together
- Considers whether regular practice or ensemble/orchestra playthroughs prompt further thought on, which students should exchange recordings with each other in the next round
The students
- Record their own part
- Share the recording
- Practice along with the recordings of others in the ensemble or orchestra
Experiences with the activity
Talent students at Aalborg School of the Arts practiced with each other’s recorded parts within a brass ensemble of six. Overall, they expressed that rehearsing with a recording was effective but also found it “interesting, difficult, strange, and different”. One student commented “It makes sense to practice with others digitally, but it would be better if it was a recording of all the parts to practice along with”. Students noted that recording became easier over time and that they got used to it, although they still preferred “live” rehearsals. Their teacher said “I noticed they actually got better. Each of them learned their own part so well that they had more capacity to listen and respond to what others were playing while still focusing on their own part”.
As a teacher of brass instruments, Ida Hovde has developed and tested using video for students to practice their own part along with others’ recordings. Listen to Ida explain the process, experiences, and reflections after the activity: