Piano Chords for Singers · Part 6

Smooth Accompaniment. Voice leading for singers’ accompanists: choose the inversion that moves least

Ruhige Begleitung: Stimmführung für die Gesangsbegleitung: die Umkehrung mit der kleinsten Bewegung wählen

1 Voice Leading

Stimmführung

When you accompany a singer, jumping between root-position chords sounds bumpy and moves your hand a lot. Voice leading means choosing the inversion that is closest to the chord you are already playing.

Gute Stimmführung: die Umkehrung wählen, die dem vorigen Akkord am nächsten liegt.

Rule 1: keep common tones

If two chords share a note, keep it in the same place. C and F share C.

Rule 2: move by step

Move the other notes to the nearest new note, usually one or two semitones away.

C – F – G – C, played smoothly

C – E – GC rootC – F – AF 2nd inv.B – D – GG 1st inv.C – E – GC root
Why it matters for singers: smooth chords stay out of the way of the melody and keep the accompaniment quiet and steady.
Ruhige Begleitung lässt der Stimme Raum.
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2 Choose the Smoothest Voicing

Wählen Sie die ruhigste Lage

You are playing the first chord. Which version of the next chord needs the least hand movement? You get one try per question.

Welche Umkehrung des nächsten Akkords braucht die kleinste Bewegung? Ein Versuch pro Frage.

Score: 0 / 10

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3 Music English

Musik-Englisch

EnglishDeutschExample
voice leadingStimmführungGood voice leading keeps the chords smooth.
common tonegemeinsamer TonKeep the common tone.
step / leapSchritt / SprungMove by step, not by leap.
to accompanybegleitenI’ll accompany you on piano.
starting noteAnfangstonCan you give me my starting note?
to count ineinzählenI’ll count you in: one, two, three, four.
intro / outroVorspiel / NachspielPlay a two-bar intro.

Say it aloud

  • “Could you give me my starting note, please?”
  • “I’ll play a short intro and count you in.”
  • “Could the accompaniment be a bit softer in the verse?”
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4 Why Singers Need This

Warum das für Sängerinnen und Sänger wichtig ist

Less effort

Your hand stays in one position, so you can watch the singer instead of the keys.

Better sound

Smooth movement sounds professional, even with simple chords.

Room for the voice

A quiet, connected accompaniment leaves space for the melody.

The seriesPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Singing & MusicSinging vocabulary
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Hear it, name it, play it.
Play each chord slowly, say its name in English, then sing along.
Langsam spielen, auf Englisch benennen, mitsingen.
← Part 5Back to Singing & Music →