Advice Please -Accompanying a Singer

[NormanB]

A female singer friend of mine would like me to accompany her on tenor sax on a couple of standards (yet to be chosen)at a birthday party.

I can't improvise and I need to play from sheet music. Can anyone advise where I might get some music that provides the accompaniment to the singer's part. When I have looked at Aerbesold books it appears that the tenor part is just the same part as the singer's whereas I am looking for a "supporting" part to the singer if that is the correct term.

Many thanks

[jazzcat58]

hmmm, best bet is when you decide on the tracks you are going to play, post them and you may get some advice, on what you can do/play...some general tips, dont play too much, dont get in the way of the vocal, ie where there is space you can play a phrase, playing fills"[short spaces in songs]...be clear dont hesitate, you wont have long.
Try to be lyrical to the melody, listen to the melody it might help you play.
bryan

[Yofis]

So it is just you and the singer?

I would play the bass parts. If those are not available, just "walk" on the listed chords. Just make sure you land on the tonic for each chord change at it should be fine.

[hgiles]

That's not an easy job and singers don't always like the same things. I had one singer say I was the best accompanying sax player she's ever worked with and another say STFU!

You need to practice with her and see what she needs/likes. How she phrases the melody...

[Grumps]

Here's what you need to do...
Tell her to find a piano or guitar player instead.

[Mick Stuppguy]

Here's what you need to do...
Tell her to find a piano or guitar player instead.

I agree.

Or if you still want to try it, both of you should perform along with some backing tracks so that you won't have to carry the water musically (I am a HUGE fan of the Hal Leonard Jazz Playalong series.)

Trying to be just a duet is a very tough task when you haven't performed together, and it's dang near impossible if you're not confident in your improv ability. With backing tracks, she can still be the star, and you can just apply a few tasty licks and fills, then play the melody during the solo break.

[MartinMusicMan]

This may be a disaster waiting to happen. Try out a song with the singer and see if you can find a way to work together. Maybe arpeggiate the chords? Or as Grumps said, recommend a piano or guitar player.

edit - or use backing tracks like Mick Stuppguy said

[Xulld]

Yes, danger, danger Will Robinson this is harder then it seems on first thought.

[Yofis]

Hard is good...Life is too short...Play the damn gig.
Unless, of course, its a birthday party for Clive Davis.

[Xulld]

Hard is good...Life is too short...Play the damn gig.
Unless, of course, its a birthday party for Clive Davis.

Good observation.

[Grumps]

Hard is good...Life is too short...Play the damn gig.
Playing bass notes that he doesn't know? And even if he did, how is that going to sound? A sax hitting the tonics while a singer sings. Would you want to listen to that? Would you want to sing to that?

Obviously, the singer hasn't thought this out and the sax player who is not playing an instrument known for accompaniment, needs a chart for singer and sax for which there is none. This is someone's birthday party that they're contemplating ruining. Know a bad idea for what it is.

[Yofis]

Playing bass notes that he doesn't know? And even if he did, how is that going to sound? A sax hitting the tonics while a singer sings. Would you want to listen to that? Would you want to sing to that?

Obviously, the singer hasn't thought this out and the sax player who is not playing an instrument known for accompaniment, needs a chart for singer and sax for which there is none. This is someone's birthday party that they're contemplating ruining. Know a bad idea for what it is.

Hey, I just answered the guy's question and gave him some ideas about what he appears to plan on doing. No, I would not like to hear that, but apparently, she does.

[JL]

No, I would not like to hear that, but apparently, she does.

Of course, she may not know what she is in for!

My take on it is if you need the sheet music and can't improvise, then it probably won't work. I'd be up front with her about that. If you could improvise and have some familiarity with the tunes, then I'd say let her sing and play tasteful fills, maybe even play through the melody on your own once to set up the tune, etc. But reading sheet music isn't going to work in this situation.

[Grumps]

Of course, she may not know what she is in for!
They never do. I've been asked to do this before, and they truly have no idea sometimes as to the difference between an instrument that can be used for accompaniment and one that shouldn't be. Plus, singers will switch keys on you, and you've got to be ready for that. Even for more experienced players, this is just a situation that is best politely turned down.

[Xulld]

Ive been in this situation if you are able to pull it off you are a better man then I.

[MartinMusicMan]

I think a consensus has been reached ...

[Dr G]

Is it too late to add a "Please don't" vote to the mix?

[jrvinson45]

Instant Message "Notes" Norton and see what he says.

[gary]

Playing bass notes that he doesn't know? And even if he did, how is that going to sound? A sax hitting the tonics while a singer sings. Would you want to listen to that? Would you want to sing to that?

Obviously, the singer hasn't thought this out and the sax player who is not playing an instrument known for accompaniment, needs a chart for singer and sax for which there is none. This is someone's birthday party that they're contemplating ruining. Know a bad idea for what it is.

Spot on. On both comments.



My take on it is if you need the sheet music and can't improvise, then it probably won't work.

Another spotting of the on. :D

Accompanying a singer with just the sax requires flexibility and improvisational familiarity which I don't think the OP has. If you think that you really must, get a copy of "Annie Ross Sings a Song with Mulligan" which has Annie Ross (singer) singing with a piano-less group. If you can't do something similar to what Mulligan is doing, don't try it in public.

BTW - you have to really know what "guide-line tones" are, how to find them and how to play them without spending more than a 1/4 second seeing/hearing them.

Oh wow - I just found some audio files. Check it out:
http://www.gerrymulligan.info/recordings/ross_annie.html

[NormanB]

Thanks

[Yofis]

[onnakhanam]

I'm probably not the best person to give advice as I'm hardly the most tuneful singer.. Razz However, i do think that hearing a singer's