Vocalist.org archive


From:  "Fiona Chow" <fionat@i...>
"Fiona Chow" <fionat@i...>
Date:  Sat Dec 30, 2000  12:18 am
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Piano for the classical singer


> Grrr. I had conveniently forgotten about that. Is it
> really worth it? How much progress can I make, and
> what will it give me?

I would say it's worth it, and I also have taught the adult beginner.
The most important thing is your own willingness to persevere. Let's address
some of your questions though:
Yes you CAN make progress and quite a bit of it, and if you couldn't, I
wouldn't write this email!
You probably know what it would give you - the ability to play a melody
line yes, but also the ability to play some left hand harmonies at least, to
your songs, the ability perhaps to play the intros/interludes to your lieder
(I find this particularly helpful) and the ability to play through other
people's lines in an operatic rectiative/dialogue kind of situation. The
advantages to all of this in the end are: less money spent on
coaches/accompanists to help you do these things, you will be better
prepared once you go into rehearsal w/ the orchestra/pianist/other singers,
and better speed and accuracy in learning your music.
Also - if you ever want to teach, piano skills will serve you well, even
if you still hire a pianist for most work. Most teachers play a little, and
can accompany the lessons of the beginner student.

If I
> practiced every day and took piano lessons twice a
> week, how long would it take me to be good enough to
> be able to play through a score and teach myself a
> role?

That depends on the score. :). And it also depends on the person b/c
some people play some things better than others. I find Handel easier than
Menotti; that is b/c I listen to lots and lots of Handel, but other pianists
I know would disagree. Probably a couple of years. You probably will never
be able to play fluenly the ENTIRE score - but you will be able to play more
than enough to learn your role, unless it's a particularly difficult role.
This year I took a choral conducting class, made up of pianists as well
as some voice majors. The #1 thing the instructor stressed was PIANO
skills, and the need to just start practising, even if it's hard and
especially if it's hard. You will get better.
I wouldn't say you need LOTS of piano lessons (I dont' know if you've
ever had any and I'm assuming if you were in a conservatory/university you
have at least taken 2 years of class piano or the equivalent) persey, but
you need to do it every day.
Play a variety of material. If you take lessons, you will probably be
started on some beginner series (if you haven't taken any lessons before)
like Bastien/Alfred, etc. there are many that are available and most of
them are quite good. You should progress through these quite quickly being
an adult (adults DO learn faster than children). However, also have a look
at easy song accompaniments for variety. For example... the introduction to
Wolf's Gebet is slow and chordal. Read out of a hymnal, even if it's
difficult at first. Try easy Mozart.
Also - ask your teacher if he/she will teach you the basics of keyboard
harmony (sorry, I'm assuming you have had no training in this area, correct
me if i'm wrong) - in terms of tonic, dominant, subdominat, etc. chords in
each key, and if you can be given drills for these. I'm not talking about
advanced reading of figured bass or anything - just enough skills so you can
reconize a dominant chord in a song you're playing through. If you get into
jazz piano, or any popular music, some basic skills in this area are used,
and I always personally believe that improv at the piano is GOOD. Along the
same lines, playing jazz and popular music will help you hear/recognize
these things.
Practise scales daily. I know, it's no fun. :). However, it seems that
those who know their scales and play 'em well sightread better. This goes
for other technical stuff too - those chords and arpeggios. Of course, the
other plus to thi is it's nice if you ever want to teach voice, if you can
play along smoothly w/ your students as they vocalize, w/o much thought. I
HAVE had a teacher who could not go progressively from C major to Db to D,
etc. It was annoying!!!!!

> However, I'm willing to be talked to sternly about it.
> Are there pluses (plusses?) that I'm missing? Why is
> it recommended for an adult to take up piano lessons?

Talked to sternly, hey?!!? I'd say it's worth your time. Start by
taking a half hour/45 min lesson every week, and practising half an hour a
day and see what you come up with after a few months. The key is - you have
to start somewhere and do it. And adults learn a LOT faster than children,
especially if they practise daily. I've been very very surprised. No, you
wont' be a concert pianist, but you will be able to play for your own
enjoyment. I can also list many stories of friends who had maybe a year of
lessons when they were kids and then played daily by themselves and after a
couple of years can play well enough to do carol sing-alongs and the such.
Feel free to ask away if you have more questions. Hope this was a stern
enough talking to!!!! :). (if you met me you would see I'm very
unintimidating and not all stern-like)

Fiona




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