Learning an instrument can be such lonely business. You practice your instrument all week, alone. You meet your teacher and the focus is on you alone to improve. Then you go back to the practice room and work some more, alone. And finally go on stage to perform, alone.Why is it that collaboration is a valued enterprise nearly everywhere but in piano playing? Collaborative pianists (also still called accompanists in some places) are often perceived as failed pianists, and many people assume that only the pianistic cream of the crop get to perform alone on stage, without the tarnish of any other musician spoiling their perfection, except the occasional orchestra backing them up. But guess what? The reality of this false image of the piano soloist doesn't measure up to how things really work in the music world. Nowadays, it is the collaborative pianist that has the fast track to a playing career, with more performances, more doors that can open, and more opportunities for earning income.
Pianists in their teens often fall by the wayside at the same time that their friends who play other instruments find camaraderie in orchestras. Often adding a bit of collaborative work to the diet of a young pianist is precisely what they need to keep going, and I speak from my own experience regarding this. Collaborative playing can be introduced at an early stage through duets, working with singers of the same age, choral accompanying, and chamber music for the intermediate pianist. There are numerous collections of works for this purpose, and the list is growing regularly. In addition to introducing this new variety to a pianist's musical diet, you are introducing a working process to their playing through the act of working with others that can often completely re-inspire pianists to redouble their practice efforts.
  | Chamber Music Sampler, Book 1 Edited by Joanne Haroutounian. Set of performance parts for piano trio (piano, violin, cello). Series: Piano. 31 pages. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (KJ.WP324) See more info... |
 | Christmas Music For Piano Duet Arranged by Norman Dello Joio (1913-). Piano duet songbook for piano four-hands (no lyrics). 31 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.9239) SMP Level 7 (Late Intermediate) See more info... |
 | The Contemporary Singing Actor Women's Edition Volume 1. By Various. Vocal Collection. 240 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (740192) See more info... |
Next: Taking Stock of your Accomplishments
Your timing for this post is impeccable! I've recently assigned a bunch of duets to students. They seem pretty "pumped" to play a song with a friend. In one case, it's motivating a student who hasn't bee practicing much and challenging another pair to work hard because neither student wants to be the weak link.
ReplyDeleteI think I've even managed to talk three students into performing a song at my winter recital with a family member who plays another instrument.
On another note, some teaching colleagues/friends and I are tossing around the idea of doing an ensemble music program sometime next year.
The social club that even the most basic collaboration provides is often just what kids (and adults) need.
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