Does a Singer have to knw what there piano player is playing?

[sarah_16]

Hi I'm a beginning Gospel singer, an I was wondering if u have to know what your piano player is playing?

[davidjosepha]

I imagine it would help, although I have no experience singing.

[sarah_16]

ok thanks

[pianoplunker]

Hi I'm a beginning Gospel singer, an I was wondering if u have to know what your piano player is playing?

Not exactly, but it sure does help to know what the chords are. the melody you sing is based on the chords. The more you know the better, and if you understanding voicing and theory even better. There are alot of amateur singers who dont understand melody. I can tell because they only sing notes that harmonize, no passing notes or inflections or anything.  The better singers are always aware of the melody regardless what the piano player is playing. Beleive it or not , sometimes piano players dont play the best voicings in their chords or even play the wrong chords. That is where the singer's ear comes in. You really need good ears to hear the music if you are a singer .  AT least that is what good singers have told me.

[sarah_16]

thanks a lot, that's good to know )