Collaborative Pianist Developing theJazz Band Competitions/Festivals Church service...
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Developing the Collaborative Pianist Utah Music Teachers Association State Conference Nov. 8th, 2019 Ashton Gardens
Transcript of Collaborative Pianist Developing theJazz Band Competitions/Festivals Church service...
Developing the Collaborative Pianist
Utah Music Teachers Association State ConferenceNov. 8th, 2019Ashton Gardens
Collaborative Pianists Guild of UtahJayne Galloway, president Juliet Preston, secretaryDiane Carter, vice-president Jill Hughes, treasurerAnita Hill, historian CPGU.ORG & Facebook
1. Promote excellence and professionalism in collaborative piano
2. Encourage interest in and preparation for collaborative piano work among young pianists
Our Mission
What does the field of collaborative piano look like for our students?● School choir● School musicals● Jazz Band● Competitions/Festivals● Church service● Funerals,Weddings● College juries, recitals● Ballet Classes
Always in demand, the world of music depends on skilled pianists!
What skills are different from solo piano?
● Working with other people, professionally● Following a conductor/ soloist● Learning music quickly/Sightreading● Simplifying score - leaving out notes● Reading multiple staves simultaneously● Knowing when to lead and when to follow● Understanding specific needs of instruments and vocalists● Assessing tempo and adjusting to unplanned situations in real-time ● Ability to play without looking at keys● Exceptional page-turning skills
You gotta stay cool.
● Professional Behavior
● Business Practice
● Rehearsal & Performance Tips
Working with Others
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
● Acquire music early. Request that measures be numbered or number them yourself.
● Communicate - which movement, tempo, cuts, special instructions● Schedule specifically - and stay Organized
When and where to rehearse? Are you expected to attend a lesson with the soloist's private teacher?
When and where is the event?● Be on time!● Treat their music books with care. Make sure their name appears on their
music. Don't lose their music! ● Be nice to everyone. You never know who will pop up later in your life.
BUSINESS PRACTICES
● Establish if it will be volunteer or paid before you start work.
● Establish specific fees; travel expectations
● It's easier to set the expectation before than to ask for payment after.
● Return calls / texts / emails promptly
● If you can't come through with the job, don't wait until the last minute to inform the soloist. Offer substitute names. It is stressful for soloist and not fair to the other pianist.
REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE TIPS
● Learn the part well - good notes, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, style● Listen and watch their part so you can stay together. ● FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW! ● Pay attention during rehearsals, especially choirs, band, orchestra● Always anticipate when you can help the soloist● Give starting pitch for singers - tuning pitch for instrumentalists● Slow down if they are having trouble -be willing to stop and work on tricky
passages● Support soloist or group in every way. Don't overshadow the performance
(not too loud)● Perform duets with other students● Easy does it on the pedal
Understanding Scores and
Technical Challenges
LayoutPiano and Soloist StavesPossible key signature
differences
Using pencil liberally!
Write in chord namesCue notes for next page
Ledger linesAnything!!!
Special Markings
TremolosChord repetitions
Concerto/Aria FormOrchestral Reduction
(Tutti - Solo)Cadenzas
Ossia; alternative passage
~Expose your students to a variety of styles
~
Making the Impossible
Possible
Score reduction
and Sightreading:
Essence of a collaborative pianist is the determination to stay with the soloist.
Especially when you feel like jumping ship.
Wrong notes HAVE to be OK.
1. Create playing/sightreading experiences that help students deal with anxiety
2. . Re-train to put emphasis on rhythm and pulse, not correct pitches
3. Constantly ask questions about theory
Key Signature and Changes
Time Signature and Changes
Patterns and texture
Ghosting
Tapping rhythms
Write in counting
When to leave out melody
Leaving out notes on big chords
RH - leave out lower noteLH - leave out upper note
Open octaves played as single notes in fast succession
Block chords to keep rhythm clean - don’t chase unimportant
notes
Teachers can prepare students
for success by creative teaching
activities
Activities for Piano Lessons
Ensemble Experiences
Duets
Teacher sings or conducts
Rhythm Activities to develop counting and ensemble playing
Collaborative Recital
Sight Reading Experiences
Reviewing score and scale
Sight reading with card/metronome
Sight reading hymns with soprano line + bass line
Finding keys/chords without looking at keyboard
Duets ● Teacher - Student● Student - Student
(same level)● Older student -
Younger Student
Hymns ● Soprano - Bass most
important● Learn to isolate parts
and play in different combinations
Collaborative piano skills give students more
options for futureGood-paying, enjoyable job that
uses all of their piano skills, keeping them sharp!
University of Utah (MM only)University of Arizona
Arizona StateUniversity of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
University of New MexicoNorthern Arizona University
University of Northern Colorado
First Annual Young Collaborative Pianists Competition
~ April 2020 ~
Registration will open February 2020 at cpgu.org
Junior Division ages 10-14Senior Division ages 15-18
Collegiate Division ages 18-25Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
A First Rehearsal
ofRachmaninoff’s “Spring Waters”
presented by Anita Call, pianist
Nathan Northrup, tenor
Questions?
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Collaborative Pianists Guild of Utah
