<p>I’m attending a workshop soon… and I mean really soon… and they want taped accompaniment, and I have been trying since December to find someone, anyone to record this, and I live in a hick town, I mean as hick as it gets, so nobody plays the piano. I have been working with my choir teacher at school be she has only had two years of piano, so the songs are almost impossible for her to play (not that they are too difficult), and my question is, if i go without a taped recording, do you think that they would look down upon me, and maybe not want to admit me into their program later in the year?? </p>
<p>Have you tried calling churches? Other schools in the area? Music stores that have staff that give private lessons? I encourage you to think outside of the box and exhaust all possibilities before showing up without a tape. I don’t know the nature of the workshop, but I doubt they would “look down on you”; however, it’s to your benefit to have the tape. Get on the phone now and start calling churches (leave a message on the answering machine if necessary); many have midweek choir rehearsals, so you may be able to find someone who can help you out in short order.</p>
<p>Good luck…from someone who also lives in a hick town!</p>
<p>Yes, but all of the churches around here won’t play the music unless it’s religious or gospel, and that’s neither of my songs. And the closest music store is 3 hours away. </p>
<p>I don’t know where you live but I live in a town of 1700 people in a rural area. I know there are many ways to accomplish this. In my daughter’s case, she had a piano teacher locally who recorded accompaniment tapes. I understand YOU don’t have a piano teacher, but someone in your area must take piano lessons from someone. Also, my daughter had a voice teacher, who granted, lives 45 miles away, who also could record if she had asked. Do you take voice? There are people who give piano lessons even at our high school or in towns nearby. Even if nobody in your town teaches piano, I imagine someone teaches piano in a 50 mile radius of you. Who accompanies at school concerts for chorus? Who accompanies in the orchestra at the school musical? Who is the pianist at any theaters in the region who put on musicals? Who teaches music at the elementary school (that person should have learned to play piano as part of their degree). Who plays piano for a church? That person might have the skill to play a piece for you. What HIGH SCHOOL kids do you know who play piano well? My daughter played accompaniment for others’ live auditions when in high school. There has got to be some competent pianists in your high school. Who plays piano in the school orchestra, band and/or jazz band? Are there music stores in any city in a 50 mile radius who you could call who could recommend someone? We don’t have stores like that in our teeny tiny town but there are music stores 25 miles away and/or 50 miles away and those people would know and network with musicians. Do you know any local bands? Someone likely plays keyboard. Who teaches INSTRUMENTAL music at your high school? Most music teachers should be able to play piano. If not, they should be a resource to hook you up with someone who does play piano. Even my daughter’s clarinet teacher plays piano because in recitals, often a flutist or clarinetist will be accompanied by a pianist. Ask everyone you know who takes instrumental lessons who their teacher is. If that person doesn’t play piano themselves, they are sure to know someone who accompanies as they use accompanests themselves.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean by “hick” town but believe me, I live in the country and I could find numerous people who could play piano. In fact, I imagine my town may be even smaller than yours. We don’t even have a traffic light in our town! :D</p>
<p>I have really tried online, I’m performing “Fallin’” from They’re Playing our Song, and since that musical is so…old, I came across the sheet music purely by accident. So after constant searching for the music, I coudn’t find it…anywhere.</p>
<p>Well, my at my High school, this is the first year we have had choir… ever. So she is primarily a band person and has only had two years of piano, but she helps me with playing out the notes and etc. Our elementary music teacher can only play the basics, and I mean basics of the piano. And at our past choir concerts we sang to a CD of pre-recorded music</p>
<p>I don’t take piano or voice, partially for a number of reasons, lack of money, and I don’t trust anyone in my town that has voice experience from ruining it.</p>
<p>But, I have came to the conclusion that i’m going to go even further, like… 2 hours away and hopefully I can find a piano teacher that can record it for me. </p>
<p>You might try running a classified ad in your local newspaper. Let potential pianists know that you are going to pay for their services. It’s hard to believe that the church folks won’t play, perhaps it’s just the manner in which you approached it.</p>
<p>Is there a community college or university nearby? There has to be someone–(student or faculty) that can help you.
Are you affiliated with any church? If not, maybe you can talk to them about doing volunteer work in exchange for a musical favor.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sheetmusicplus.com%5B/url%5D”>www.sheetmusicplus.com</a> has one version in Dmajor from a Hamlisch songbook that comes with accompaniment music</p>
<p>ABlestMom, that is a great idea (even though I think it is possible this young man could find someone who plays piano in a 50 mile radius from where he lives). I hope he looks at that site online and the music is in the key he can sing. Great solution. Bravo CCers for being resourceful.</p>
<p>I think that Fallin’ may be in one of the Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthologies (not sure though)… if it is those have recently all been re-released with accompaniment CDS. I would check to see if you could get your hands on that because, you may find other songs that you like and can use in the futur and will have the accompaniment. The MArvin Hamlish book is another great suggestion!</p>
<p>BAck to “live” taped accompaniment… What about a small college in the area? </p>
<p>Also, I know that you said your mHS music teacher only had a couple of years of piano… ask if she read chord changes? She may be able to make something that is basic… but will give you music accomp. Here’s an even crazier idea… If you know someone who plays the guitar, maybe have them record it for you… as a last resort?</p>