When you take the step from practicing alone to playing with others you soon realize that it’s a different game. This article discusses 5 skills essential for making music together.
When you start learning an instrument you play alone most of the time. You need to build up some basic skills and confidence. Soon you feel prepared to play a few tunes with friends who play. You get together; start playing and all of a sudden you’re having a completely new musical experience. Some of the things that you’re normally good at alone might not work as good together with other players. That’s because playing together requires a special set of skills that can be gained only in a group.
Here are the 5 skills you learn from playing with other people:
– Listening
This one is really the number “1”. First of all you need to learn to listen to the others as much as to yourself (or even more). Listening will open the door for playing together with consciousness.
– Being “in the pocket”
In other words locking in with another musician’s time feel. For this you have to be aware of where you are at in relation to the beat. Spend enough time practicing with metronome. By locking in with a musician you learn to emulate his time feel. If you play with someone who has good time you can improve your own.
– Being supportive
If you give musicians what they need it will make them sound better, hence the music wins. Depending on the instrument you can contribute different things. Even one musician who plays good time, chords or lines can change the whole sound of a band.
– Following the lead
For being a good team player you have to recognize initiatives of your colleagues and react fast. Having eye contact and your ears open is crucial while playing. It’s also important to remember that initiatives can come from anyone, not only the person playing the leading part. Don’t disregard anyone in the band.
– Taking the lead
This is when it’s your time to take the initiative. When this happens to inexperienced musicians they tend to let go of all the other activities. Make sure that you don’t stop listening to the others and being locked in with the groove.
These are the key skills for playing with other musicians. It takes time to become aware of them, but as you play more they improve.
The teachers at MyMusicSchool.com are professional musicians waiting to share their experience with you.