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A Sudden Chat with Paul Lewis about Beethoven & Schubert

Substituting for the suddenly indisposed Janine Jensen, pianist Paul Lewis shares his ideas on his global Schubert project, classical repertoire focus and views on titans Beethoven vs. Schubert. Read more

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Topic: Chamber music (Read 1467 times)

chopincrazy23

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 71

Chamber music

on: May 22, 2013, 04:51:41 PM

Hello,
This summer I am going to a chamber music camp and I've been assigned a quartet. The only problem is that I've never played any chamber music before. They said I don't need any chamber experience, but they have also assigned a hard piece (at least for playing in a quartet for the first time) Does anyone know what it's like to play chamber music? Or any tips?

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g_s_223

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 505

Re: Chamber music

Reply #1 on: May 23, 2013, 11:51:41 PM

Ensemble playing isn't easy for pianists, who have often developed in a self-contained way with little interaction with other musicians (unlike say string players).

Some tips:
- practice with metronome to ensure you are playing notes (and not playing rests) always to full duration, and that your rubato is under control
- count!!!
- perfect your playing in quieter register (i.e. as accompaniment to others)
- be absolutely clear on whether repeats are played
- master page turning/preparation or get a page turner
- be fully prepared, i.e. have mastered all difficulties in the piece - rehearsal is NOT a practice session

However it is tremendous fun, and will improve your musicianship greatly to do chamber music.