Piano-Accompanying Techniques for Vocalists
In this course, students acquire the essential piano skills to self-accompany while singing. Students are encouraged to perform tunes from all genres for peer review, analyzing the most common voicings for each style and choosing what is genre-appropriate. Students will evaluate key signatures to find which key works best for a given song, transposing and arranging a tune to highlight vocals, as well as adding intros, interludes, and codas. They will also strategize about practicing and performing more difficult genres, such as R&B, which involve potentially complicated bass lines and rhythmic figures. Students will examine tempos and how they affect a given song. Students will also learn about stage performance and posture; practicing how to avoid looking at the keys; pedal use; optimum microphone position; and avoiding tension in the neck and shoulders or vocal strain during performance and practice.
Upon entering this class, students typically are able to play simple, written piano accompaniments, read notes on the grand staff, and have basic hand independence.