Tips for Accompanists: “Cueing a Song” in a Long-Form Musical

Sami Klein, Shulie Cowen, Hillary Rowe in "Opening Night: The Improvised Musical"

When do you “cue a song?” Well, anytime a character experiences a moment of is a good time for them to sing. Also, listen for emphatic statements that can be expanded upon in song, for example, “You and me are the sleaziest cops in town,” or “There’s a lotta ways to make money in New York, my friend!” And here’s one more: “Come on everybody, we’re gonna throw the best barbecue ever!” You’re looking for bold proclamations of feelings and points of view – perfect moments for actors to exploit by singing.

Continue reading Tips for Accompanists: “Cueing a Song” in a Long-Form Musical

The Twelve-Bar Blues

Click to view full size & download

Here’s a track you can use for rehearsal and/or performance of a 12-bar blues song, plus a chart in case you have a live accompanist on keyboard or guitar! It’s from the CD that comes with the book, “Musical Direction for Improv and Sketch Comedy.” The 12-bar blues is a great platform for improvising both the singing and the accompaniment – lots of room for vocal and instrumental fun, using a framework that is so easy to learn.

Continue reading The Twelve-Bar Blues – Including an Audio Track and a Chart