Well – that was a disaster.
I had my youngest students in this afternoon for their Performance Class, which included the first rehearsals for the ensemble recital. As well as I thought they were prepared, it was mostly disastrous – although at least there were a lot of laughs. Every pair and trio kept taking off and not staying together. A couple of students kind of freaked out and couldn’t find a note to save their lives. I discovered one student couldn’t play at all unless I was standing over her and pointing to the notes with a pencil as she played (note to self: check this at lesson. Have I unwittingly trained her this way?)
I’m sure much good will come of this – after they overcome the shock of how much harder it is to play with another student than it is with me. I’m counting on a new realization of how much better prepared they will have to be individually. The one trio went quite well – but it was stupidly easy. Still – an ego booster, I’m sure. And one student pleasantly surprised me with her confidence and ability to hear and wait for her partner when it was necessary. My ever-practical husband reminded me that this was the first time they had done anything like this, so why would I expect anything different?
As a tonic, I listened again to the most fabulous piano duo around these days – Greg Anderson and Liz Roe. They are known for their creative arrangements and equally creative staging and videos. Technically and musically they live up to the beauty of their music and visuals. Here’s one of my favourites – Samuel Barber’s Pas de Deux. I probably should have posted this on Valentine’s Day 
There are many more videos on their website www.andersonroe.com.
What I find works for ensemble is scheduling a few partner lessons in place of their regular lesson. The first lesson is the hardest, as they have to get used to playing with their partner. At their private lesson the next week, we talk about the issues that came up during the partner lesson and work on fixing them. The next partner lesson usually goes better, and by the third, and hopefully last, they are playing as a team. The performance class for ensemble takes place towards the end of this process, so the listeners get to hear a more finished performance. Partner lessons take a lot more out of me than the private, but for ensemble events they make a huge difference! It can also free up a little studio time the weeks you have them, as you are teaching two or three students at one time. Scheduling can be tricky, but it always works out. Work it into your schedule for next year and take advantage of days Monday holidays for extra time for partner, remembering that they only do the partner lesson that week,not their private lesson.
Thanks for the advice, Marcia. It’s the scheduling that scares me the most… It is hard enough just getting performance classes to work out. But I like the idea of planning that now for next year…
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