Q. I've been playing the piano for several years now.And for the past few years,I was appointed as the church's pianist.So,I was wondering if anyone can give tips on how to play childrens' songs by chords- I learn arpeggieos and scales but am lack of creativeness on how to elaborate my usage of chords on the piano while playing..Help me!
A. To play in a jazz style, a very easy and basic approach would be to start with a third and seventh in the left hand with a ninth and fifth or thirteenth in the right hand. This is the easiest and most basic jazz piano voicing. The notes would be lowered or augmented due to the type of chord, if it is a dominant chord, the seventh would be lowered; if it was a minor chord, the third and seventh would be lowered; if it was a major, it would not be changed; if it was diminished, it would be a minor third, fifth, and double minor seventh; if it was half diminished, it would be minor third, fifth, and seventh. These are the most common chords. If the accompaniments played were not to have any jazz influence, arpeggiating in the left hand while playing a chord in the right hand or playing bass notes while playing a chord in the right hand are other alternatives. There are many ways to play, just be creative. Octaves and thirds can be used in either hand. As long as the notes that are being played do not clash with the melody in the songs, anything is fine. Another suggestion is to look at books of hymn arrangements. These books have many developed ideas that can be transfered over to your own playing. If it is a certain style trying to be attained, such as jazz or Franz Liszt, then listen to more of that music and try to play more of that music. It will develop your ideas of how to play the childrens' songs! Good luck.
How do you find your voice range for singing?
Q. some songs i sound terrible singing...and some i actually sound pretty good...so how do i know how to find songs im good at singing? any tips?
also, any suggestions on how to get better at singing? i really want to be able to sing better...haha
A. Usually you have it tested by a pro if you want to find out EXACTLY what your range is. (Like if you were going into an ensemble.) I had my voice tested for the first time when I was in 6th grade by my choir teacher and was an alto 1. What she did was sit down at the piano and play a C chord higher and higher up on the piano until I couldn't sing anymore. Then she practiced with singing exercises that help with mouthing your vowels correctly.
I had my voice tested again when I was in eighth grade and was a soprano 2. Your voice changes a lot over they years. It's important to remember that.
A lot of it it just singling scales as high and low as you ABSOLUTELY can, singling songs with different ranges, and PRACTICING. You have no idea how much difference STRETCHING your voice makes. (Sorry if that sounds weird,ha ha!) Years and years of practice is the only way to get better at singing. Actually,it isn't. Learn how to read music, practice singing notes in scales by going Mah mah mah or zing zing zing (you get the point),and take lessons,if you can. When you are singing sit or stand up straight,sing with your chest,and RELAX! You never sound good when your all tensed up.
Most of all,remember singing is FUN! :)
How should a piano accompaniment sound?
Q. My friend and I are performing an original song, soon. I play the piano and she takes care of the vocals. The thing is, I've never accompanied a singer before. How should the piano sound? Like, do I only play chords, or also play the melody, or..? Any general tips?
A. It really depends on the singer. Some have trouble holding pitch, and do better when the melody is played with their singing. Some will have trouble only in certain spots where you want to bring out the melody. Some singers will have awesome voices and will need little help with background and you can improvise your own.
Chords are good, but how you play them can also make a difference, depending on what blends with the singer's voice and how the rhythm sounds. You can play rolling or straight, different inversions, or altered chords with suspensions.
The best thing to do is to have a couple of rehearsals and try different things to figure out what works best for your particular song and singer.
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Title : How to play the piano in jazz style?
Description : Q. I've been playing the piano for several years now.And for the past few years,I was appointed as the church's pianist.So,I was wo...