In my 25+ year career as a pianist and vocalist, one question remains as the most asked: What Piano Skills do Singers Need?
I have taught hundreds of singers all over the world how to find their power at the keyboard. We have confronted their fear and shame over their lack of skills and I have created a unique method that teaches them the skills they need, in a fraction of the time.
Let's dive in and I'll show you the skills that singers need, divided up by genre. Read through to the end and I'll give you some tips on how you can start to build these skills today!
The Exact Piano Skills that Singers Need
Piano Skills for Pop singers:
- Play major and minor chords in 12 keys
- Know how to play seventh chords and sus chord voicings
- Create simple accompaniments that include a bass line in the left hand
- Play different rhythmic grooves in good time
- Know how to arrange pop songs
Piano Skills for Jazz singers:
- Play seventh chords in 12 keys
- Play from a lead sheet
- Walk a bass line in the left hand, while comping rhythms in the right hand
- Play jazz chord voicings
- Play a Bossa Nova and other Latin grooves
Piano Skills for Music Theater singers:
- Accompany themselves in a variety of styles
- Play basic pop piano
- Learn melodies and harmonies from a lead sheet
- Fake accompaniments from their own sheet music.
Are you a singer who needs to learn piano but doesn’t know where to start?
Sign up for my Piano Skills for Singers guide to get a list of the exact skills you need to learn!
Piano Skills for Classical singers:
- Sight read melodies in the right hand with correct articulation
- Do simple chord analysis of scores, jotting in chord symbols
- Play classical style accompaniments like Alberti bass and rolled adagio styles
- Play at least 2 parts at a time of SATB choral music
Piano Skills for Choral Conductors
- Play 2, 3 and 4 parts at a time of SATB choral music
- Play vocal warm-ups
- Conduct from the piano, while playing exerpts of the score
- Play faked accompaniments for singalongs
Piano Skills for Early Childhood Educators
- Lead a singalong while creating simple accompaniments on the piano
- Play and sing without looking at the keyboard (looking at student’s faces instead)
- Improvise different moods of music for movement and interpretation
Don't be afraid to start your piano journey!
If this list looks intimidating, I promise you that it is anything but. This list is merely a starting point: now you know what you might need to function your best as a singer at the piano.
If you have been wanting to finally tackle your piano skills once and for all, I strongly recommend Crash Course in Piano Skills for Singers. I made this course for singers like you who want to get started and need an easy way in.
Want to learn jazz piano? Join hundreds of others who have found success using Jazz Piano Accompaniment. It's available as part of the The Versatile Musician.
The Versatile Musician is an all-in-one membership that combines video lessons, print material and live support to help you level up your skills and thrive as a musician and music teacher.
To learn more, check out www.theversatilemusician.com and get ready to level up your musical skills!
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.
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