Dear Singers at CVI

Here is a little list of what we as pianists need to help you the most.

Know that we, the pianists are your friend. We are here to help you. Help us help you :-)

Please read, prepare and provide these issues for your pianist at the SWP sessions so we can help you best possible in your singing session.

1) Please write the title of the song, next to the singers name on the board, when you make a sessions
singing list. (If the title is long, please just note first 2-3 words. Then the pianist can be prepared.)

2) Please hand in your sheet music to the pianist (lay it by the piano) 5 minutes before the sessions start.

3) The sheet music should be in the right page order and please tape them together (as turning bookpages) if it consists of many pages (more than 5).

4) If the pianist need to jump many pages to eg. back to a D.S. or a coda sign, it will be a great help to mark the page(es) with a little sticker on top of the page.

5) Please make sure beforehand that your sheet music has:

  • The right chords written, along with the melody.
  • Please make note notations with c, d, e, f, g, a, b … (not in the solfege system; do, re, mi )
  • Please use the international chords B and Bb (Avoid the scandinavian ‘H’ and ‘B’)
  • Please make sure the sheet music has bar lines. In case you only bring a lead sheet (a paper with only chords, maybe from the internet), there are most often no bar lines and if the pianist doesn’t know the song this might
    cause unnecessary problems.
  • If you bring your own song please use a note paper and write it with 4 bars on each line, write the form clearly (intro, verse, chorus, B-part, C-part, interlude, coda).
  • If you want to sing in a different key, please make a clear note about it on the top of the first page (eg. 3 half notes down).
  • It is important for the pianist to write notes in the sheet music, so please make a photocopy of the song if you do not want the pianist to write in your sheet music.
  • If possible add style and tempo markings; Swing, reggae, rock, tango, samba, funky, 12/8 ballad, waltz etc. (If you do not know this, please bring a recording of the actual song to play for the pianist if needed).

 

 

CONCERT TIME:
When you are about to perform at a concert please:

  • Indicate/show the tempo with your hand to the pianist. You can also (discreetly) sing a part of the first verse. In that way the pianist will be ‘tuned in’ on the tempo and style for your song.
  • If your song starts from ‘rubato’ (with no actual tempo) and goes to a part in a tempo, please mark the wished tempo (eg one bar) as a count in. This is especially necessary when playing with a full band!
  • During your performance you can make eye contact with the pianist and show dynamic changes, tempo changes, breaks and endings. Again, your hand movements can be very effective, even though they a small indications.

 

All the best from the pianists at CVI