UNC Classical Guitar Ensemble: La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin

In the past I have written about the importance of ensemble playing for classical guitarists. This recording from the UNC Classical Guitar Ensemble of Debussy’s La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin (The girl with the Flaxen Hair), is a wonderful example of how to apply good ensemble practices. This piece is arranged as a quartet and my ensemble is doubling each part except guitar 1. I was particularly pleased with the way the group effectively used dynamics in the recording, however, the more impressive thing was the alignment between the parts (most importantly when the ensemble is playing a chord). Something that I talk about frequently with my students is the importance of coordinating the moment you play a note so that the “attack” happens at the same time as the others on your part (as well as the other parts). Being able to match when the note is struck can be much more difficult than it sounds. It’s not just simply a matter of “counting.” Practicing “striking a note at the exact same time as someone else” takes good listening skills, visual cues, as well as working together so that the group can learn to “feel” the beats in the same way. When playing in an ensemble of plucked instruments, practicing and learning this skill can be frustrating at times. The results, however, are well worth it. The group will always sound more together and polished.