Accompanying a choir

[meisel]

Howdy


Ive just got a new job, as a pianist for a choir, which turns out to sing pop songs.
I dont think i will have any problem playing what is demanded, however, my experience with accompanying pop songs is absolutely none existent. Ive been given fake books, but it will sound too naked if i only hit the chords when its written, and if i play the lead melody and fill in too much, i will exaggerate. So, i guess the middle road is the right way to go here.

So, my question goes as follows; Are there anyone out there with some good advice on how to play, any secret working tip?

[celticqt]

How wonderful that you get paid to do this!  I have been accompanying my church choir since I was 15 and have never gotten paid, except in grateful glances from the director.

I would mess around with the fake book a lot before I went to the first rehearsal.  When you're improvising, you have to feel the rhythm of the song.  You are right about not playing the meloday all the time - that would just get in the singers' way.  Try some patterns - maybe a left hand octave, and a chord in your right hand, with some syncopation thrown in once you get comfortable.  Sometimes I'll just chord a song until I get a feel for what the performer wants; then you can get fancier.