Singing Along to Accompaniments
Found in: Accompaniment
Diane C., California
I decided to bring this up because of the current “Accompaniment Introductions” topic . I am not an accomplished singer but enjoy singing and happily sing to most of our songs. However, I do struggle singing with the accompaniment pieces which makes the demonstration part of teaching a new song… well, weak or not as powerful as it really is.
Samali touched on my issue a bit, “when to commence singing ” but I also struggle keeping my words aligned with the appropriate chords throughout the song. I have listened to the audio recording over and over and over and that helps but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I feel a bit embarrassed to admit this struggle but I’m sure I’m not alone. I think conquering this problem is important, as fully utilizing the accompaniment process is very important to me.
Kerry V., Australia
Have you tried timing the words and chords away from the piano and clapping them in? Honey Dew is easy as it starts in with the first chord then you progress onto Amazing Grace and the playing starts AFTER the singing. If you know the song, words and tune, then clap in every time you see the chord above the word. Walk around the house nodding your head while singing the song to yourself, getting the timing on the chord and corresponding word.
I must say I never had, or made, an issue of having an intro first. This comes with experience for the student in playing, and when we do have a song that actually shows an intro we just do it. Nobody has ever questioned having an intro. For me, it is not how we sound, it is whether we have the timing or not, have they “got it” or not. I have students who struggle with singing and playing together, so I have them ‘speak’ the song and I get the same results, I am able see whether they have it or not.
Karen T., Illinois
First of all, there is no need to be embarrassed by the fact that you have something to learn. ANY teacher is always learning. : )
As to your issue, try breaking it down into a smaller first step. Instead of paying attention to the ratio while you are learning to sing along while you play, just play right hand chord a single time. Play it while watching the words and saying them out loud to yourself. No singing yet. Play the chord on the exact syllable where it falls in the lyrics. A good place to get used to this is in the Level 1 Foundation book, where the chord name is almost touching the lyrics for Honey Dew and Amazing Grace.
When you are satisfied that the chord is falling at the right time to coincide with the words, add the left hand note. Still no ratio and no singing as you go through it with the right hand single chord and the right hand note.
When you are secure in this, add the additional RH chords to fill out the ratio. Go very slow with this step, controlling the events right here is crucial. Your hands are going to do two different things now. Your right hand is going to play the chord as many times as is indicated in the ratio, and your left hand is going to play one note at the same time as the first chord only.
Still no singing. Get the ratio down thoughtlessly while speaking the words. Your clue as to the synchronization will be your left hand note. Is it falling on the syllable indicated by the chord name?
When this is flowing comfortably and everything is smooth and easy, then add the singing.
Carrie G.
Something I like to do with my students is sing… “Together, Right, Right, Together, Right Right”…… to the melody of Amazing Grace
or
“Together Right Together Right” to the melody of Auld Lang Syne.
This way you’re getting the melody and focus on the ratio between the hands.