Piano accompaniment

[LisaE]

Question: As I mentioned before, I will be playing piano/keyboard as part of a Praise and Worship team for our Singles ministry.

Now, as I practice for this, I am wondering: let's say I have a lead sheet for a song (melody and chords). While the small group of singers are singing, can I play BOTH the melody and chords? When I researched this, I saw no, you play only the chords, let the singers sing the melody. But this evening I asked a friend of mine who has played accompaniment before and said no, you CAN play the melody and chords, be creative with the chords, don't necessarily stick to what's written on the lead sheet.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Andrea

[BBoy]

Accompaniment is much different from soloing. I wouldn't recommend that you play melody, let the singers handle that.

Be Blessed . . .

BBoy

[coldheartedfreak]

i play both the melody and chords, just more of chords and less of melody. let the guitarist and singers take the melody. yup. its all in a matter of style for what u want to play when u play. maybe u could try broken chords or maybe some appegioes and see if u like them. yup. just a suggestion.