I propose the following requirement for all those who aspire to a career in a professional orchestra: play chamber music. A lot of it. At the highest level possible. In a string quartet. Aside from learning tactful interactions with one's colleagues, the qualities highlighted in chamber music performance and rehearsal are quite possibly the most important set of skills that one can have, and use, in a symphony orchestra.

As a member of a professional quartet for almost four years (the Ethos Quartet), I noticed that my orchestral skills increased steadily as I was engaged in quartet playing, even though the time spent rehearsing and giving concerts was taxing my energy to the utmost. Why was this? There are some factors present in string quartet playing which can be invaluable to the orchestral musician. I'll talk about some of them here.

Here are three (but by no means all) of the demands that quartet playing makes upon the musician:

1. Preparation (score/part)
2. Listening (ensemble/pitch/phrasing)
3. People skills

Preparation

In a quartet, thorough knowledge of the work(s) is absolutely mandatory. Not only must one know their own part, but have a good working knowledge of the score and, preferably, have peformed a good thematic and structural analysis of the work.

In the orchestra, knowing that your section comes in after the 8 bar horn solo makes life easier - and being able to play that tough part at letter 'W' makes you and your stand partner happier as well. The discipline of knowing your part backwards and forwards before the first rehearsal will definitely help you to advance in your orchestral career.

Listening

In the quartet, you have no conductor to lead you through the tricky bits - even in such white knuckle rides such as the quartets of Bartok, Ligeti or Carter. Having a strong rhythmic foundation will be a good start, then you will learn to integrate complex rhythms with your quartetmates. As you get more into a work, you learn how your colleagues in the quartet respond to your solos, and you to theirs. You begin to breathe together at the beginning and ends of phrases, and the high points of each phrase start to come together with cohesion. You will learn where the cellist places her descending leading tones, and where the first violinist places his. Flexible, or contextual pitch becomes commonplace, suiting the harmonic structure of the work performed.

In the orchestra, these skills will be lifesavers! Being a strong rhythmic contributor is important, and being strong while also being flexible enough to fit into the conductor's and the orchestra's "corporate" rhythmic feel are essential. The reading of your section leader's or concertmaster's body language, and breathing then fall into place as you evaluate the phrasing and bow strokes of a passage "on the fly". Finally, the ability to play with a well-centered sense of intonation is vital, but one must be ready to adapt to the lead voice's pitch or that of a soloist.

People Skills

As a member of a quartet, you'll have many interactions with your colleagues during the course of rehearsals. What do you do when faced with something you don't agree with? Pull out the gauntlet, slap them, and challenge them to a duel? No - you talk about your divergent ideas, and work towards a compromise, along with the other members of the quartet.

In the orchestra, people skills are paramount - almost on par with instrumental skills, in my opinion. There are far too many exquisitely skilled a**holes in orchestras these days. It's not that hard to be polite, well-spoken, and deferential - after all, we don't live in the dark ages anymore, right? Imagine yourself in your colleague's shoes. Consider what you would do if you were in their position, and try to hear their concerns free of extra political baggage. Then, count to ten, take a deep breath, and ask yourself if what you're about to say will either make things better, or just make them worse. If everyone did that in orchestras today, we'd have a lot fewer petty disputes which turn into lifelong feuds.

So, if you're just starting out in an orchestra, or if you're on the audition trail in the quest for your first gig, playing in a quartet can really help put your playing and personal skills on the right track.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charles Noble,