If you have sung or played a Duet with someone, you may resonate with this post. I have always enjoyed collaborative ventures.
In the past, during school and college, I have sung duets with friends, and have absolutely loved the experience. I have also teamed Keyboards playing with other instruments, for events. These have also been fulfilling.
I believe playing a solo and a duet or as part of an ensemble requires a different attitude, and understanding. In a collaborative effort, those involved are called to mutually give and recieve, and bounce their energy off of each other, blend in with each other, not just in terms of ideas, execution, but actual energy blends. There is beautiful synchronicity that can be achieved and experienced by those involved, as well as those party to be audience to such collaborations.
These kinds of collaboration, not just in music, but, in other aspects of life, even work, where people work in teams, also fulfill our social and bonding needs.
The most important aspect of team-work that I am convinced of, is teammates reinforcing each others' strengths and compensating for the others' shortfall, if any. This makes a strong successful team.
In a duet, two singers, or instrument players, may have their respective parts where they shine, and other parts where they need to blend and provide support. This dance of give and take, is fascinating to be part of, as well as to watch.
This subtle dynamic dance is what I find so very exciting. I love collaborations, and I would promote collaborations over competitions, on any given day! Like I tell my students, alone, you can grow to a certain extent, but, with others, like in a duet, we can grow exponentially.
Recently, I introduced this concept of duets to my students. And we decided to include duets in our first online Annual Keyboards' and Piano Recital, that we premiered on Sep. 24, 2021. It was experimental, to help them realise how to blend with the other, how to stand out at some times, and how to support the other at other times, the coordination needed, and the shared responsiblity for that duet piece.
It was fabulous! Some duets were between sibblings, parents; I did duets with Sam, and other students, simply because I enjoy these. They enjoyed the experience just as much as I did. The energy in a duet or ensemble is much different than in a solo. Observe and feel it the next time, you are witness to such collaborations or are part of it.
SoulNotes to Self: Happiness is…playing (singing) a duet!
I look forward to many such Duets & Ensembles, and exciting sensory experiences that these bring! Do try these for yourself, and leave me a feedback as to your experience. I would love to swap SoulNotes with you!
Love, from my soul to yours!
Soulful
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