In this tutorial, I will show you how to sing and play a lyrical pop ballad accompaniment style for piano. Using basic major and minor chords plus this simple ballad accompaniment style, you’ll be singing and playing your favorite songs in no time at all!
Learn to sing and play piano
Learning to sing and play the piano doesn’t have to take years. In my Piano for Singers series, I show you my simple method to learn to accompany yourself on piano. You can start accompanying yourself in a matter of days or weeks, rather than the years it takes with traditional lessons.
My method consists of a four short steps:
Step #1: Learn to play your major and minor chords on piano
Step #2: Learn some basic accompaniment patterns
Step #3: Learn a variety of songs to master these concepts
Step #4: Be awesome and get all of the gigs!
In this tutorial, I am going to show you another basic accompaniment pattern that works as a great stock accompaniment for a ton of songs!
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Lyrical Pop Ballad Accompaniment Style for Piano
I love this simple ballad acocmpaniment style! It has a very gentle and lyrical quality, similar to a guitar player finger picking. It is very simple to play too - all you need to know is how to play triads.
Left Hand: 1 - 5. Right Hand: 3 - 5.
To learn this pattern, you can practice it on major and minor chords in a few keys, to get it under your fingers. Once you have the pattern down, you can choose a favorite lyrical ballad and practice it. Try it!
Here are some songs that this pattern works well for:
Here, There and Everywhere - The Beatles
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Wizard of Oz
Moon River - Henry Mancini
Love Me Tender - Elvis
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
She’s Got A Way - Billy Joel
Piano Skills Are Worth the Effort
I totally get it: this feels like a lot. What is different about this approach is that it can actually take place over the period of a few months rather than a few YEARS. Why? Because in this approach you are actually developing the skills you need, rather than a bunch of skills that don’t actually serve you as a singer.
Think of what it would feel like to be able to sit down at the piano and sing and play your favorite songs.
Think of the opportunities this skill might provide for you.
Could you play solo gigs? Play at a nursing home? Could you lead your family and friends in a holiday sing along? Join a band and write and record your own songs? Could you just feel more like a musician and feel more confident in the musical language? Teach lessons or lead a choir?
Piano skills will help make all of these dreams a reality. You can do this!
Are you a singer who wants to jump start their piano skills? Sign up for my Crash Course in Piano Skills for Singers Mini Course and get started today!
For only $49, you get a full course that covers all the basics you need to get started on the piano. You'll get video lessons, a printable book and weekly emails that will motivate and inspire you to make it happen.
Are you ready to LEVEL UP your piano playing using a proven method?
Are you tired of STRUGGLING at the piano and want an easier way?
Have you taken piano lessons in the past and found that the process was SLOW, FRUSTRATING, or DIFFICULT ?
Piano Skills for Singers Level 2 is my #1 bestselling course, which has empowered hundreds of singers worldwide to amp up their piano skills and be confident and productive at the keyboard.
We skip the busy work from traditional piano classes and go right for the skills that will directly support your work as a singer, voice teacher, and choral conductor.
How to sing and play an uptempo pop piano accompaniment