Communication is essential for any chamber group to succeed. You cannot have your head buried in your music the entire time just worrying about what you do. If you get into that habit, chances are this will spawn an abundance of late entrances, intonation problems or timing issues. If you feel your group is getting into this habit, here are a couple things to try and hopefully you are comfortable with your group.
First, try picking a member of the group and establish that you will look at them or signal them or communicate in some way shape or form throughout a run through. Even making eye contact (though too much could get awkward!) is a great way to communicate through performing. Just a little acknowledgement to your colleagues can start to get some more cohesiveness.
Second, sit as close as possible to one another. This gives you no choice but to listen, look and watch what everyone else is doing. You become more aware of breaths being taken, cues being given or a new passage you may not have known was in unison.
To close, I would like t share a thought I had last night while watching my girlfriend perform with the St. Louis Youth Orchestra. Chamber ensemble may be the most important thing we do as musicians. If you break down a wind ensemble or an orchestra, what you have are several chamber groups put together in one room. A trombone section communicates, breaths together and moves together as do the violins, trumpets and tuba.
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