Playing for Singers

Playing for Singers explores, in depth, the art of accompaniment for the jazz and cabaret pianist. It covers all the fundamentals of playing for vocalists, as it applies to the performance of the Great American Songbook. Topics covered include: how to accompany singers as a solo pianist, what changes when bass and drums are added, the art of out of tempo accompaniment, and the accompanist as arranger, composer, copyist and musical director. Also included are numerous musical examples demonstrating the ideas presented and nuggets of wisdom from great accompanists. This is a useful book for singers, as well as pianists, since an intimate relationship between the two is essential.