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Find a partner and try ensemble playing. As well as being a pleasant way of passing time, ensemble playing is a sure way of improving one’s general standard of performance. For the uninitiated, here are some suggestions which should help to avoid the most common problems faced by novice duettist. 

Seating arrangements.
You will need to sit so that you can see and hear each other easily, don’t forget the audience deserves the same consideration. 

Tuning. 
There are no hard and fast rules. One person can tune first and then play a string at a time for the other player to tune to. 

Togetherness.
Unless you are telepathic there will need to be some form of visual signal in order to start and end together. There may also be other points in the music where it will be necessary to provide a cue. The most common way of doing this is by a discreet nod of the head. Its good if the one designated to nod sits on the left so that the partner looks down the neck of his guitar to the player giving the signal. This is especially helpful when there are position shifts in the piece as the player giving the signal need not look at the other player. The partner on the right can see his guitar neck at the same time as the cue. Beginnings and endings are very important and will need much practice to make sure both are precise. 

Critical analysis.
It’s very satisfying to start and finish together, but more is required. Is the tempo right and the phrasing clear? Should there be more tonal contrast? etc, etc. A cassette recorder will often reveal what we failed to notice while actually involved in playing. 

If both players can cope technically with the music selection, this sort of preparation will ensure that no matter how simple the music, the guitarists and the audience will enjoy the performance.

- by Ernest Kwok