There is a bonding experience that occurs once the class engages in playing as an ensemble. The class transforms from 30+ students playing exercises to a team of guitarists playing ensemble music. I find that this is so important that I wrote some easy duets that can be played on the first two strings in first position. I have also written easy trios that can be played on the first three strings in first position.
Playing ensemble music gives students an application for vertical alignment, counting, playing with accuracy, etc. Teaching dynamics and tone production has much more meaning to students when it is applied to ensemble playing rather than to exercise playing.
Incorporate ensemble playing in your classroom early on. The sooner ensemble music is introduced, the better.
[social_button button=”facebook” furl=”http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Guitar-Workshops/98983006090?ref=ts&fref=ts” flayout=”standard ” fwidth=”450″ faction=”like” fcolorsheme=”light”]