PHOTO: ERIKA KAPIN PHOTOGRAPHY
KEYBOARDS
Brenda Earle Stokes, BFA, M.Mus, is a pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator originally from Sarnia, ON and currently
based in New York City. In addition to her work as a performer and recording artist, Brenda runs a busy private studio in
NYC and is the creator of Piano Skills for Singers – the only online piano course for singers created by a singer.
www.pianoskillsforsingers.com.
By Brenda Earle Stokes, BFA, M.Mus
Piano Skills for Singers
Avoiding the Usual Pitfalls & Finding Success at the Keyboard:
Part 2
Ex. 1
Ex. 2a
Ex. 2b
Accompaniment Skills
Everyone needs to know how to “fake” at the piano. Faking means to
approximate accompaniments using chords and only requires that you
are able to play chords in different keys. You then approximate accom-
paniments by playing a bass line in your left hand and the chord in the
right hand. Not only does this sound satisfying as an accompaniment,
but it is very simple to do – much easier than trying to read fully-notated
piano music!
Basic Skills – Playing Chords
In order to “fake,” it is necessary to learn how to play chords on the piano.
Start by learning major triads in 12 keys, then move on to minor triads,
and then dominant seventh chords. If you are a jazz or R&B singer, then
you will likely need to know more chord qualities, like major seventh and
minor seventh chords.
Practice playing the chords in 12 keys via the circle of fifths (Ex.1) and
up/down by half steps (Exs. 2a and 2b). Have the left hand play the root
(mimicking what a bass player would play) and the right hand play the
chord.
26 CANADIAN MUSICIAN
Putting It All Together in a Song
Choose a simple song to get started. (I like to use "Let it Be" by The Beatles.)
Get a lead sheet of the song, or locate a copy of the chords and lyrics.
There are a million sites online. Play through the whole song on the piano
with the left hand playing the roots and the right hand playing the chords.
Once that is secure, then start singing while you play. Go slowly and take
it one section at a time. Once you get confident, add the metronome
or the drum machine to get you confident playing at the right tempo.
Learning the piano can be ripe with pitfalls, but you can avoid them
by following these basic steps. Practice efficiently a little every day and
watch your piano skills grow!
Check out Brenda’s Piano Skills for Singers website and enter
coupon code CanMus20 for 25 per cent off of any course!
www.pianoskillsforsingers.com