When two or more people play or sing together, it’s called unison. Unison means that the performers are all playing or singing the same note at the same time.
This works with any combination of instruments or voices, as long as they all play or sing the same note.
How to sing or play music in Unison?
First, the pitches have to match. Different pitches will sound off-key. For example, playing a C while your friend plays a C sharp will create dissonance.
Second, you need to have the same timbre. This is the quality of the sound each person produces. If you’re playing a note on your violin and your friend is playing a note on her piano, they might be in unison, but the timbre will differ.
Third, check the level of dynamics, which refers to how loud or quiet each person plays their note. If you’re both playing at the same volume, you’re in unison.
Aside from that, having a good sense of rhythm is crucial. You need to play at the same tempo and count the beats correctly. For example, if one plays a quarter note and the other an eighth note, that’s not unison as the notes have different values.
Lastly, sync up with each other. Know when to start and stop playing, when to hold a note, or when to jump in with a new one. For example, if you’re playing a note that lasts two beats, ensure your friend does the same.
