Any opera/vocal pianists here?

[tosca]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and would like to introduce myself. I am a professional vocal accompanist and am wondering if there are many other specialists of this type who post here.  From the looks of it , it seems that there are more soloists here than anything.  I post occasionally on NFCS (New Forum for Classical Singers) but feel sort of like the odd one out, as I´m the only pianist posting!  I've thought of starting my own forum but don´t think I would get much response since it is maybe too specialized an area.    Any thoughts?

However, I really like this forum and I think it is a very great resource for pianists.  Looking forward to participating...

~Tosca

[anda]

i'm not a professional vocal accompanist, but i have had classes in vocal accompanying when i was a student, and i also have accompanied in the past few years vocal students (right now i only have 4 vocal students to accompany).

best regards

[timothy42b]

I'm playing in the pit for a Broadway show this weekend, does that count?

I think your category could be more generic than "vocal accompaniment pianist." 

I think what you are is a "working gig musician." 

You are unusual on this forum, most people play for the sake of the art, and eschew public performance.  But you aren't the only one. 

The focus is different.  For the show, I'm playing so the singers can shine.  Nobody much cares about my performance, nor should they (though they will if I mess up <grin>). 

[shasta]

Hi Tosca

I've accompanied vocalists as soloists and in chamber music groups, playing so they can "shine" (as TimR alluded to).  So much fun!

[pianonut]

dear Tosca, 

i haven't done any opera accompanying, but have done chorale accompanying.  if you started a web site for tips on both piano and vocal, i would join.  it seems that many times the pianist is looked upon as knowing how to conduct a rehearsal.  i have learned from other conductors and rehearsal accompanists as to how to deal with small groups vs large groups.

it seems that in the small groups you have time to deal one on one.  in the large groups, you just have to keep the pace going and really have prepared ahead of time what it is you are supposed to know.  the pianist usually has to stay one or two steps ahead of the vocalist, so they can practice notes and rhythms correctly.  (i have to relearn the international phonetic alphabet, too)  so many things are really good to review. i'd be interested in the forum!

[whynot]

I do some solo playing, and I also do tons of accompanying (and whatever else I get asked) and have drifted into a little vocal coaching in recent years.  I can't coach roles because I don't know most of them well enough, but my diction in the usual languages is very good, and I know IPA and a lot of the art song repertoire.  I've done enough singing to spot obvious things that I will gently observe IF ASKED, but unfortunately most singers don't think I'm qualified to talk to them about what I hear, so I keep my mouth shut (very difficult).  * A friendly note to singers out there:  if your accompanist also sings, knows diction, has perfect pitch (many of them do), and is overall a good musician, ask them to talk to you!     

I don't have anything brilliant or interesting to say, but I think it's great that you're thinking about more ways for pianists to get together.  This is a fantastic site, as you may have found, and I think there are more gig-players here than it might seem at first.  You have to ask, because if the recent questions are solo-driven, those are the pianists who respond.  So if you start up other topics, who knows who might pop up.  Hope to hear your thoughts in the future!   

[tosca]

Thank you all for your replies.  I was hoping a few more people would chime in, but that's OK.  I look forward to adding my contribution here as well as learning a few things myself! 

Also, if anyone here is interested in vocal coaching or opera rehearsing, it really is a lucrative and rewarding profession.   I used to be a solist but found I just hated to practice for hours in solitude.  I was depressed and  lacked social skills.  Now,  I am very happy becasue I am making a living doing what I love.  As a vocal coach, I have to learn many different languages and deal with many types of people.   I lost interest in solo rep (although I still play it and appreciate it) about 5 years ago, when I discovered art song and opera.  It is a much more tangible music to me.  Also, at that point I realized I NEVER listened to piano music for enjoyment.  Only for ideas in interpretation.

~Tosca

[Hmoll]

Tosca,

What particular skills do you need as a vocal coach/accompanist? Obviously, you need to be a good sight reader, but what else? Also, what type of temperment, and other attributes help?

[BoliverAllmon]

I am starting to find out that vocal piano music can be quite wonderful. I am looking at getting sight-reading better and then really work with some students.

boliver