In this video from Ashlee Varner’s Music Career Essentials for the Professional Singer course, Cuban pianist Harold Charon Cisneros discusses the role of the piano in a band, and how it relates to the rhythm section, guitar, and vocalist. Harold provides tips for different genres, from pop/rock tunes to R&B, jazz, and Latin, and details important characteristics of each genre, like doubling the bass in pop/rock tunes, or moving slowly in R&B tunes, being more rhythmic and harmonically complex in jazz tunes, etc. Harold also stresses that when playing piano with a singer, you want to match their mood and dynamic, progressing with their intensity. These tips are especially helpful when learning how to engage with other players. Harold Charon Cisneros demonstrates how to play piano, using these techniques, while accompanying Ashlee Varner on vocals, scatting through an improvisation.
ABOUT ASHLEE VARNER Ashlee Varner has toured throughout the world with numerous groups as a pianist and vocalist, and is best known for her unique vocal arrangements. In 2014, she won DownBeat magazine’s award for Best Graduate College Jazz Vocal Soloist. Her latest recording work is featured on Kenneth Brown’s album, “3 Down,” produced by Donald Brown and featuring Jeremy Pelt on trumpet and Greg Tardy on sax. The album has received international radio play (France, England, and the United States) and appeared at No. 27 in Jazz Week’s Top 50 chart.
Music Career Essentials for Professional Singers | Ashlee Varner | Berklee | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music | Piano | Playing Music in an Ensemble
