The Church Pianist: Improvising for Vocal Accompaniment

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Improvising Tips for Vocal solo in 6/8


1. 6/8 Timing can be slower for prayerful mood
songs.


2. Busier accompaniments work well for slower tempos.


3. Variety is the key! Break up the busy sixteenth-note


flow with some sit-still chords here and there like in


measures: # 6 (calls) #7 (world) #9 (throne) #10 (all).


4. Contrast in movement is nice. For example:


Measure #6 (the right hand piano accompaniment


moves contrary to the direction of the melody) on


the words: "...from a"


5. Sometimes the piano accompaniment needs to literally


"rest" to allow the soloist time to enter a new phrase after


a breath.


For example: Measures #3, and 9.

The ultimate goal is to bring the text to life with an appropriate

accompaniment;yet being the background support for the vocalist.

Please feel free to leave suggestions of things you would like to see presented.

Thanks!