accompanying a vocalist

[abryant]

Great lessons as always. Is it possible to do a few lessons on accompanying a vocalist or singing group?
Thanks

[crilee]

Hi,

there is a fantastic dvd on mylessonclub.com that covers accompanying a vocalist.

:)

[ministermike51]

First of all; don't "play over" the soloist. Basically you can just kind of "chord" softly and make the chord changes and no need to duplicate the lead note since the soloist will be singing it already. You add your own improvisational techniques when he/she is resting or at the end of a phrase while he/she is taking a breath etc. The difference between soloing and accompanying is who is center stage and it really is pretty much as simple as that. Make every single chord change, but imbellishments should only be added during the solo rest periods, for the introduction and the ending.

[songofthebride]

First of all; don't "play over" the soloist. Basically you can just kind of "chord" softly and make the chord changes and no need to duplicate the lead note since the soloist will be singing it already. You add your own improvisational techniques when he/she is resting or at the end of a phrase while he/she is taking a breath etc. The difference between soloing and accompanying is who is center stage and it really is pretty much as simple as that. Make every single chord change, but imbellishments should only be added during the solo rest periods, for the introduction and the ending.
any lessons on accompanying yourself?

[williemyette]

Actually, I had a student recommend a nice format that I cam going to include on a few lessons.

Right now, I format the lessons with 3-4 sections:

1. Discovery and reharm
2. the arrangement
3. creating licks / improv
4. learning the licks

but I am also going to add another section on "comping" or accompanying.

This will first show up in March's lessons for JazzPianoLessons.com on "Stella By Starlight"