Part 1: Singing the melody + Playing the chords
From: How to Sing and Play Piano at the Same Timeby Camille van Niekerk
Description:
First things first: we’ll review the melody to “Shake it up”, which is a song we used a lot in the 30 day beginner course. If this is new to you, please listen the first time and re-play to learn it. For 30 day graduates, please sing along with me!
There's a fire deep inside, I can feel it turn the tide, Oh for the first time
We're jumping in, waves are strong, but there's a place where we belong, Oh this is the time
To shake it up, tear it down, push against the tide
So shake it up, all around, gonna be alright, gonna be alright
Now let’s look at the chords! I encourage you to download and print out the lyrics and chords, so you’ll see exactly how it comes together, and you can make notes as needed. This first time, we’ll just play through the chords, out of time. Follow along with me. We’re in the key of C.
The verse starts with C…
C Em Am F
C Em Am G
And now the chorus!
C F Am G
F C
Great! Now let’s play through in time. We’re holding every chord for one full measure. So that means we’ll play on beat one and hold for beats 2, 3, and 4, before changing on the next beat 1. Let’s give it a go!
C Em Am F
C Em Am G
C F Am G
F C
This time, you play, and I’ll sing so you can just focus on playing. We’re just playing the chord changes, one chord per measure. I encourage you to tap your foot along with the beat!
Perhaps you noticed that the melody doesn’t always start on a big beat. It’s syncopated! We often sing on beat 2, or even the + of 1. That’s easy to sing, but it’s not so easy when you’re steadily playing on beat 1 every measure. To help build this coordination, you’re going to sing and clap on the beat. And because you always play on beat 1, clap up higher for every downbeat. It’ll look like this: [demonstrate]. Here we go!
Verse:
C Em Am F
There’s a fire deep inside, I can feel it turn the tide
Oh - oh - oh, for the first time
C Em Am G
We’re jumpin’ in, waves are strong, but there’s a place where we belong, oh - oh - oh this is the time
Chorus:
C F Am G
F C
To Shake it up, Tear it down, push against the tide
So Shake it up, all around Gonna be alright
Gonna be alright
Lessons:
Instructor: Camille van Niekerk
Camille van Niekerk is a singer, writer and vocal instructor in Southern California. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working towards her BA in Music Education at Azusa Pacific University. She then earned her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving to LA county, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages. She is constantly refining her skills and methods for greater versatility and effectiveness. When she is not teaching, Camille enjoys singing with the L.A. Choral Lab and Ensoma Creative. She lives in San Diego with her husband and loves going to the beach, practicing yoga, reading, and cooking.