How to accompany a "boat?"

[Bob]

"Boat" being a large group in a large space.  And loud.  Loud enough to overpower a piano.

Problem being that the tempo becomes slower, and slower, and s l o w e r....  because everyone's waiting for everyone. 

No director.  The a large group with piano accompaniment. 

And someone says, "Hey, don't let the tempo drag down like that." 

How do you overcome that, besides explaining that you do an intro at one tempo and do push the group a little bit but they still slow down and you have to follow them at some point.


The only solution I'm thinking of is to amplify the piano sound (or just play loud) to force everyone to hear and follow that.

Any other ideas?

[iansinclair]

Good luck.  I am tempted to ask what on earth you are doing, but perhaps it is better not to know.

The only solution which I know of which works at all -- and then only sometimes -- is to play loud enough so that there is no question you can be heard.  Then you have to instruct the group to follow the piano, which they may or may not do.  And then you have to keep plunging along...

Actually, there is one other solution, but it depends on your agility and where you are located: that is to conduct the group with one hand, and play with the other.  It isn't as easy as it sounds, and it may not be possible at all.  Bobbing your head sometimes works, too.

A couple of other thoughts: one is a recommendation to keep the group as compact as possible; part of the problem is the time delay from the piano to the most distant singers.  The other is that without a powerful lead, the situation is inevitable, as there is that space time delay plus a reflex time delay from singer to singer -- from when they hear the note to when they sing.  Unless they have an unmistakable VISUAL lead they will slow down (unless they are a very well trained group, but if they were, it's not likely you'd be writing this query).

And one other fault: whatever you do, do NOT listen to the singers or you will slow down too!  Set the tempo and carry on (if it's the wrong tempo, that is your problem -- but there's nothing to be done about it.  Carry on anyway, and smile).

Better yet, hire a decent conductor...

[Bob]

Accompanying a large group. 

I did have another thought -- Play a long introduction.  That will establish the tempo. 

Bobbing the head could work.  If a few people follow along they can influence the rest.

[j_menz]

Screaming "For pities sake keep up!!!" every few bars does wonders too.

[Bob]

Haha.  And lose the job too.  Can't make them feel bad.

[quantum]

If they start slowing down, play ahead of the beat.  The more they slow down, the more you play ahead.  Be aware of what they are doing, but don't listen too closely.  Focus on playing your piano part with authority.  

Don't let that one person in love with their own voice bring the "boat" down to a crawl.  You are in charge, lay down the law.  

Don't let the entire piece be one whole mushy legato line.  Have clearly delineated phrases.  Use pickups and upbeats to define the character of the rhythm.  Leave space for breath.  

One cannot sing a given note in time, if one is preoccupied with lingering on the previous note.  Encourage your "boat" to get off endings quickly so they are ready to start the next phrase in time.  

If they appear to be confused, emphasize the melody.  Play in unison if you must.  Melody in octaves, both hands, no inner harmonies.  

If the piano part is different from the vocal part, be able to flip between playing either part as the situation requires.  If the boat needs more support, flip to playing that vocal part on piano.  

When the piano part is exactly the same as the vocal part (i.e. hymns) it is sometimes difficult for the vocalist to hear an instrumental part that is at unison pitch with the note they are singing.  Play an octave higher/lower on the piano to increase the audibility of the instrument when necessary.