When you think of a professional pianist, what do you think of? Do you picture a soloist in a concert hall, up on the stage alone with the piano? Do you think of an orchestra playing with a solo pianist? We often picture soloists when we think of professional pianists. It’s important to remember that piano playing is not just about solos though. Pianists often accompany other soloists and ensembles.
Most often, collaborative pianists accompany singers. This could be a solo soprano or baritone, and other times it may be a full choir. With a soloist, the pianist looks to the soloist for cues and tempos, but with a choir, the pianist follows the conductor.
With instrumental groups, the role of the collaborative pianist is a bit different. In large ensembles like an orchestra, the collaborative pianist usually blends in with the other players. In small chamber groups, the pianist blends with the other players, but he or she may also have a solo moment as well.
If a pianist decides to get a degree in collaborative piano, he or she will be learning a lot more than piano. These pianists learn the common languages that singers learn for their solos. This allows them to work as vocal coaches for their soloists. Collaborative pianists also learn about the history of choral, orchestral, and wind ensemble literature. Taking classes in this subject area helps pianists understand the styles of the pieces they play.
The following video is of a vibraphone concerto by Nathan Daughtrey. The vibraphone is the solo instrument, but the collaborative pianist plays a very important role as well.
Piano Lessons with Raluca Bojor
We are blessed to have Raluca as an instructor at the JESM. We invite students from Wheaton, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Lisle, West Chicago, Naperville and the other suburbs of DuPage to contact us for their first lesson. Call us today at 630-359-7725 or email us at admin@jeschoolofmusic.com to schedule your first lesson.
