Rehearsing
You can improve your musical skills by playing with other people or an accompanist. Your school may have musical groups that you can play or sing with, eg choir, wind band, orchestra or rock band.
An essential skill for playing with other people is listening. Performing with others will encourage you to listen carefully to tuning, timing, balance and the other players around you. This will develop your own listening skills.
Singer rehearsing with an accompanist
Rehearsing with an accompanist
Before the rehearsal:
- make sure the accompanist has a copy of your music at least one week in advance
- arrange a rehearsal time in advance
- practise so that you are able to play your part accurately
At the rehearsal:
- check your instrument is in tune with the accompanying instrument
- warm up before your rehearsal begins
- adjust your music stand to the correct height so that you are in a comfortable position and can see your accompanist
- agree on the speed of the music before you start
- agree who will count in if there is no introduction
- count rests carefully in order to keep in time with the accompaniment, especially if you have several bars rest and have to come back in at a certain place
