On Mar 29, 2006, at 9:52 AM, Chuck Israels wrote:
I agree that the Reader's Digest Songbook - Remembering Yesterday's Hits (ISBN 0-89577-249-3) is a fine example of this kind of thing done well. The arrangements by Dan Fox are exemplary, and they can be played with the lead line sung instead of played on the piano. They are simple and harmonically satisfying. A lot of care and sophisticated thought went into this publication, and it includes many great songs. I recommend it to Mark, and anyone else who needs this kind of publication.
I've got four of the Readers Digest books, and I agree that he did a fine job of making accompaniments that are rich and interesting while still being easy enough for beginning pianists (even if he does betray his own personality from time to time with certain favorite tricks). But as I noted elsewhere, the Readers Digest books don't suit my current want.
Go ahead and give that a try Mark. It's not rocket science, and it can be great fun. It will give you a greater sense of mastery and familiarity with the patterns of what I call "harmonic grammar." Ask questions here, OT though they may be. There are many informed and generous people who will be likely to help.
Thanks. I don't think there's much in the way of questions I need to ask, though. I know exactly what I would need to do to get better: practice. I understand the concept well enough, I just have to get used to doing it so that it becomes second nature.
I'm a singer first and pianist second with no intention to change that. Any work I'd do on my piano playing would be strictly to be able to improvise enough accompaniment to showcase the voice. I have no interest in learning the jazzy style of piano solo, nor do I have any use for the sort of piano skills one needs to play with a combo that has other instruments doing the bass and solos.
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