4 takeaways from today's John Proulx masterclass (+ replay)
Published 2 days ago • 1 min read
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Reader,
We had a great session on accompanying vocalists with John Proulx this afternoon. Here are some of my takeaways:
- Start by underplaying, and let the singer ask for more. John played with Natalie Cole for five years. His instinct was always to leave space and stay out of the way. Then she told him: “I want to notice you.” She wanted him to push the energy, and have a conversation. Now he looks for ways to make that conversation happen, without overplaying.
- Read the lyric like a poem before you touch the piano. John had been playing “Look for the Silver Lining” as a bright, optimistic calypso feel. Then he heard Sheila Jordan sing it at a jazz camp. Slow, almost a lament, and it left people in tears. Her interpretation of the lyric took the song to a completely different place.
- Fills go in the spaces and create direction. Create fills when the melody is holding or resting that aim towards the next section of the tune. It may be our job to navigate a key change, or interesting harmony.
- Play it rubato first. When starting a new tune, sing the melody phrase by phrase. Explore how the harmony supports and moves with the lyric. The lyric tells you what it needs, and without really feeling that, you can’t really play the song.
The replay video is in the archive.
Happy Practicing,
Josh
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