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You are in Derek Hasted > Second Floor
> Coffee Lounge > Ten
Commandments
Derek's Ten Commandments of Guitar Ensemble
A survival guide for the Guitar Ensemble Novice
People much greater than I have gone into print
on how to best survive in life.
There's much of this teaching that we can apply to Ensemble playing
too.
- Thou shalt worship no other
Ensembles are co-operative. Praise each other, but don't worship yourself - leave your ego at home...
- Thou shalt make no false images
Do not photocopy music - such royalties as go to Ensemble composers are small enough already...
- Thou shalt not blaspheme
Don't swear during your playing. Certain words - particularly those beginning with SH - carry rather well!
- Thou shalt labour for six days and rest on the seventh
Hard work at home will ensure that your practice together will be restful, enjoyable and rewarding - a real joy...
- Thou shalt respect those who have given you life in this
Ensemble
Respect those that brought you into the Ensemble, for they have given you their love and their trust. Don't screw up...
- Thou shalt not kill
Do not pick a piece which is too hard or you will murder it...
- Thou shalt not commit adultery
I think you will find that sleeping illicitly with one Ensemble player will seriously upset the others....
- Thou shalt not steal
If someone else in the Ensemble has a good idea, let them take the credit for it!
- Thou shalt not bear false witness
If you make a mistake, do not glare at the player on your left so that everyone else thinks that person made the error...
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's ox, ass or Ensemble
part
You can't all have the tune. Be proud of the part that is yours. Cherish and nurture it...
