Just Started With the Piano

[dramadude2]

Posted: 8/7/07 at 11:59pm

Hey all,

I just got a keyboard and am progressing extremely well. What are the benefits of being able to play the piano in musical theatre. Will this eventually make me a... dare I say... Quadruple threat.

Does such a thing exist?
It's fun to say likewise.
Kind of rolls off the tounge.
Comments?
Thanks

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 12:25am

There are countless benefits! Good for you! It will help you learn music quickly AND will give you a leg up for parts that require keyboarding ability. I wish I had the coordination to play well, but I don't...

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 2:28pm

Most directors are very impressed if you play an instrument, especially piano. It will help with your pitch and your abilty to learn songs cold, plus you could always audition for the Doyle Sweeney Todd!

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 2:28pm

Most directors are very impressed if you play an instrument, especially piano. It will help with your pitch and your abilty to learn songs cold, plus you could always audition for the Doyle Sweeney Todd!

[RunningInTheDark]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 3:05pm

honestly, even though I really don't play, all musical theatre performers should be able to play the piano. Basic piano. There needs to be musicianship on Broadway again. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to work with someone who can't read music.

Plus, I know Baldwin-Wallace and University of Michigan have piano poritions during their auditions, so there is that.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 10:30am

All reputable MT college programs require piano and music theory classes, so if you are a true beginner, you're going to be at a disadvantage, right off the bat. All actors who want to pursue MT should know how to play an instrument and how to read music well. Being a musician is part and parcel of being a musical theatre actor, hence, the word 'musical'! :)

runninginthedark, I'm not sure what you mean by "there needs to be musicianship on Broadway again". Every Broadway actor I know is also a musican, many who write and perform their own music in addition to acting.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 8:14pm

^Exactly. As a pianist who often accompanies singers, nothing is more annoying than a non music-reading singer. Well mostly.
Teaching vocal parts to those unfamiliar altogether with written music is also quite challenging, especially with something like say, Sweeney Todd.