The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocalist (Youtube Video)

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Accompanying the vocalist is one of my
favorite things to play for in a church service.

I'm able to stray from the melody and just play
within the chord frame of each measure.

Chesney, is one of my voice students. The Lord
has blessed her with the ability to sing and play
the piano.

I appreciate her sweet and willing spirit to
serve the Lord through music.

I had Chesney sing this song to allow me to share
with you all...accompaniment ideas for the vocalist.

The song, "Come Thou Fount" has a busy melody
line! This means less movement for the pianist;
using more of a chording style.

Notice the introduction has a hint of the melody
but doesn't use the typical introduction.
(Meaning....the first and last phrase of the song.)

The interlude before the last verse allows the singer
a chance to get his or her breath. :)

Youtube video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzYr30HYfc0

The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocalist (Youtube Video)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Today, I'll share a video of me accompanying
one of my voice students... Chesney... singing
"Trust and Obey".

Hopefully, you will be able to observe some of
what I've discussed in other articles regarding...
accompanying the vocalist. Please excuse the loud
piano:(

Related links:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/12/church-pianist-accompanying-vocal.html

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/10/church-pianist-improvising-tips-for.html


I do use some melody here and there in the
accompaniment.

Listen for the altered vii diminished chord in
the last verse. What word did it occur on? :)


Related article discussing the altered vii diminished chord:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/01/church-pianist-stately-chord.html

Youtube link for video of Trust and Obey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfKYhQJe-A

The Church Pianist: What Child is This? (Vocal accompaniment)

I thoroughly enjoy accompanying

vocal soloists!

What Child is This lends itself to so

many different accompaniment patterns.

The speed dictates what style of accompaniment

can be used. A slower tempo allows for a busier

accompaniment.

Here's What Child is This with some accompaniment

ideas.

I just stay within the chord frame of the melody by

using broken chord patterns for a flowing sound.

Accompaniment tips:

*Keep the same accompaniment pattern for at least

one sentence before changing patterns.

*It's not necessary to play the first word for an

incomplete measure. (The first word of the song).

The vocalist should start the first word without

waiting on the pianist.

Why? Because the vocalist should be the leader

and the accompanist....the follower.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocal Soloist

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

As I was accompanying a vocal soloist
this evening, I was reminded of how important
it is to sing along in my mind while accompanying.

It is so important to feel the ebb and flow (rise and fall
of volume and varied speed) as interpreted by the
singer.

Being a church pianist demands flexibility! Not every
soloist interprets a song the same way.

Over the years, I've played "Birthday of the King" so
many different ways! Some soloists sing it slow while
others may go faster or at various speeds.

The speed of a song determines the style of accompaniment.
I will address this in another article with visual examples.

Remember...you have to give the soloist time to breathe!
It's so easy to rush the singer through the song.

Learn to feel the music as though you were speaking
the same words. Make it conversational.

If the singer is a true musician, you will be following them
as it should be.

I'd rather accompany a singer or instrumentalist any day over
playing a solo. For me, it's more fun to stray from the melody
and be creative :)

Hope you've all had a great Sunday!

The Church Pianist: Accompaniment Tips

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

Ever heard: I couldn't hear the lady singing the solo today because the music was too loud.
It's extremely important for the accompanist to play soft enough for the vocalist or instrument to be heard.

Tip: Have someone stand out in the auditorium during practice and listen for balance of piano and vocalist. I still do this when in doubt.

Accompanying Vocal Music

Vocal Soloists:
Some soloists rely heavily on hearing the melody to stay on pitch.
Therefore, I would use more melody to support their voice.

Others have a creative ear and don't mind if the pianist deviates
from the melody.

Church choir:
I attend a small church and most of the choir does not read music.
In this case, I play more melody to guide them. We mainly sing
from our church hymnal with variations here and there.

Accompanying Offertories

Instrumental offertories:

Young or inexperienced instrumentalists: (Such as: violin, trumpet, etc.)

Play more melody to help guide them along.

Piano Duets or Duos:

Keep the melody dominant throughout. In other words, if you don't

have the melody, be a little softer than the other piano.

Accompanying is an art as I've mentioned before. Just remember the accompaniment is the background support of the singer or other instrumental soloist.

The Church Pianist: Improvising Tips for Accompanying the Choir

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Improvising from the Hymnal

I enjoy improvising! The improvised music
must match the text. They should go hand
in hand like a glove. Usually, there is less
melody support from the pianist when playing
for the church choir versus the congregation.

The tempo dictates what type of accompaniment
will be used. The faster the tempo, the simpler
the accompaniment. A slower tempo allows time
for more frills!

It is not necessary to play for every word of the song.
The pianist is the background, the support for the singers.

Below, are two examples of how I would accompany the choir.
Like a River lends itself to a slower tempo. Standing on the
Promises has the faster tempo.

Accompanying Vocalists

Vocalist's role: leader

Pianist's role: follower

Accompanist's tips:

1. Play softer so the vocalist can be heard

2. Avoid playing for every word as this can create an overworked or sluggish mood.

3. Basically, you can chord for every other word and allow the vocalist to carry the tune.

Accompanying singers is an art! A pianist is no longer a slave to the melody when accompanying. You must think in chord frames instead of each note of the melody.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com