Entry

What it means

Entry (German Einsatz) designates the beginning of a voice — the moment at which an instrument or a singing voice begins to sound after a rest or at the start of a piece. The word has two closely connected meanings.

From the performer's point of view, the entry is their own beginning, which must come exactly in tempo and at the right pitch. From the conductor's point of view it is the sign with which this beginning is indicated: a movement that gives the pulse and fixes the moment.

In fugue theory the term also designates the coming in of the subject in a voice; one speaks there of subject entries and their order.

In the notation

The entry follows from the score itself — from the rest before and the first note. In orchestral and choral parts, cue notes ease orientation: small notes from other parts that are printed before one's own entry. Multi-bar rests with a bar number indicate how long one is silent. In scores, subject entries are occasionally marked by signs.

Musical use

Entries articulate ensemble playing. In polyphonic music they carry the form, because the succession of subject entries structures the piece. In orchestral music the accuracy of entries decides substantially the impression of an ensemble; in choir and chamber music their coordination is part of the rehearsal work.

In an ensemble the conductor gives entries with glance and gesture; in a chamber ensemble one player takes over this task with breath and movement. A clean entry requires simultaneous tone production, shared breath, and the right volume from the first note.

Performance practice

Count rests along and do not rely on feeling; with long rests it helps to count bar numbers instead of beats. Use cue notes for orientation, but check in advance which part they come from. Prepare breath, bow, or hand in good time instead of reacting at the last moment. And at the entry listen to the ensemble rather than only to yourself — beginning together means breathing together.