Benefits of Ensemble Playing

I was lucky enough to enjoy my first 'musical steps' in the wonderful and exciting world of brass bands. Growing up in an area with an average of over one band per small village it was expected that most primary school aged children would learn a brass instrument as soon as their second set of teeth had begun growing. It was aged 9 I found myself sat at the back of a local brass band with a cornet...and the rest they say, is history.

Having moved on from this particular area of music to concentrate on classical trumpet and singing I never forget the invaluable skills I learnt within the brass band movement. Working as a team, tuning to other players, advanced technical skills, the importance of a good sound, and not least being introduced to a plethora of great music. These are things musicians often learn secondary to learning to play their instrument on their own, yet I think the basis of being a great individual player is learning early on all these aforementioned skills.

You only have to look at the trumpet players of most London symphony orchestras to see how important ensemble playing can be at the early stages of a musicians career; the majority of them started off in brass bands!

If I could give a piece of advice to all young brass players, and indeed any instrumentalists, it would be to play in as many ensembles as you can; with your friends, colleagues, teachers etc. You'll find it really good fun (much more exciting than practising on your own), and the benefits are limitless.

Playing any instrument should be all about having fun, and what better way to do it than to play with other people, whether you already know them, or use it as an opportunity to make new friends.

Please get in contact should you need any help finding suitable opportunities to play in ensembles in your area, and I will try my best to help.