What does ensemble intonation have to do with ego?
I’ve been enjoying the writing of Kurt Knecht on his Substack, and in particular this fine piece about intonation. In it, he says, “Intonation is never purely a technical issue. It is always also a moral issue. If an ensemble is out of tune, it is because someone is being selfish.”
When an ensemble is singing out of tune, the culprit is sometimes the ear or the technique. But I think Knecht is right that it is even more likely to be the ego. Ensemble members who don’t really open themselves to what’s happening around them are far less likely to really, truly tune to what they should be hearing.
Knecht recommends the experience of really digging into in-tune singing. Practice an A major chord for 10 minutes, till it’s really, truly in tune. In addition, here are some strategies for overcoming the ego to sing in tune.
- Place students in a mixed formation where they are by definition hearing other parts intimately.
- Have students sing in quartets, where you can’t get caught up in only blending/tuning within your section.
- Practice on microphone, with adequate monitors, so that the ensemble can really hear each other.
- Use exercises designed to facilitate in-tune singing.
- Educate students on the psychology of ego, and how it manifests itself in singing.
Ensemble singing provides great opportunities to learn all sorts of ideas that will apply throughout our lives. Letting go of ego to function in community with others is just one more.