Standard
Complete beginners are discouraged but not banned. One to one beginners tuition is not available at Ear Orchestra so if you don't know which end of your instrument to blow in yet, be prepared to do lots of listening & observing & little or no playing. If you can play 3 chords on guitar / keyboard or a scale (chromatic particularly useful), on your instrument, you're perfect. This class is about musical development. If you're already a great player, you're probably too good for us! But if you're a great player, but you're lost without you're 'dots', please come along. |
Instrument:
If you can get your instrument in the building, we can use you. If you only play in one key (mouth organs, certain concertinas, pipes etc), you'll be restricted in what you can join in with so please mitigate this if you can with a second instrument. There may be certain instruments that are too loud for the mix so If you're very loud, we may have to quieten you down somehow! Bagpipes are the most obvious example. But we're determined to exclude instruments as a last resort, so whatever you play, please come & we'll see…!
If your instrument happens to be your voice, that's fine too! Drums are instruments too!... & we'll be needing drummers... |
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Choice of music:
The music we play will be determined democratically by the participants. We'll listen to recordings, work out parts & reproduce our version. Your tutor will guide you into working out your own parts. Listening properly is at the centre of everything we do. It'll come easier to some than others, but it's a skill we're all born to do. Most of us just never develop it. |
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Sheet music is Banned. Why…?
Many people, particularly those with dyslexia, who find sheet music a barrier to playing are denied access to music in our country because when they get their first instrument, they get a book full of dots with it. Most drop out believing they are not musical.That is a crime. All children learn to speak without having to learn to read. They are all just as capable of playing music by listening.
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The Ear Orchestra is the perfect medium for people of any age & ability to come & play in a safe environment in a way that is totally natural.
Ear Orchestra considers – well Dave Ford considers…that sheet music is an addictive drug. Its irresistible quality of reassurance is as false as the Bible's. Its effect can spread to susceptible individuals. Once addicted, one's listening skills, confidence & ability to play by ear quickly diminish & one becomes a slave to the page. One stops thinking for oneself. One relies on being spoon fed.
Please respect this drug free environment.
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It wouldn't really hurt if I brought sheet music - 'for my own personal use' would it?
The pain goes deep in those who were made to feel inadequate because they didn't like the paper interface that got in the way of the music inside of them. This Orchestra is for them. Even the sight of dots can bring back unpleasant memories of previous battles lost. Nothing should interfere with their well deserved enjoyment & pride at finding themselves to be musical after all.
You may take notes if that helps you but you'll get lots of Ear Orchestra points if you rely entirely on your ears to play. If you like using sheet music, you are welcome to join us & experience the liberation of direct musical immersion but please don't bring dots into the room. There are plenty of other of orchestras who'll be happy to have you if you feel you really must have your fix.. |
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Tuning:
You'll be encouraged & guided in tuning your own instruments at the start of each class. Electronic Tuners are handy but do use your ears too. |
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