The adult band is such a great experience for me. Arriving at it without any knowledge about the keyboard or band, even the music. Not the 80s, not the 90s, not the 70s. But I dived in, because music is music.
This season we are doing the 80s. All songs and roles are pre-assigned by teachers and music directors. One day I was walking Aditi to her rehearsal, when the owner John asked me, "What do you play?" I replied confidently, "Piano!" Within a few minutes, he convinced me to join the Monday adult band. There is a Thursday adult band too, Monday one was just forming at that time. It's 500 dollars per month tuition fee, but ya, I am in.
My first songs were "Here I go again", "Pour some sugar on me" and "Maneater". For the first two weeks, I was just fanatically trying to find out what music sheets I should use. Obviously, for a lot of songs, keyboard player creates their own sound. Not me, not yet. In my 45-minute keyboard lesson, my teacher helped me figure out the chords for "Pour some sugar on me", and started me with the "Maneater" saxophone solo. I downloaded a complete piano sheet for "Here I go again" from other app and realized my part was exactly written in the sheet.
I did spend several whole days listening to all three songs and figuring out stuff. For "Maneater" saxophone solo, I most probably listened to it 100 times to be able to write out the notes precisely. And I did it, exactly imitated that part. It was impressive when I performed it.
After finally a little settled with my sheets, I followed along with rehearsal for a few weeks, to be more familiar with song structures, as well as practicing my parts. Now it's the 6th week, I am very confident with all three songs. Will keep practicing so as to memorize everything in mind.
For "Maneater" I got the vocal reinforcement role. Basically, what you want, you have to grab it. I asked the teachers and music directors "What if I want to do more vocals in the future", they told me to start with background vocals. So I grabbed it, I am the "Ohh here she comes" throughout the song. What a fun experience, playing with my key but seriously singing "Ohh here she comes" from beginning to end.
Six new songs have been added, they assigned two to me. It's not about the quantity but the quality. Victoria the other keyboard player got 7 songs out of 12, I only 5. But I absolutely love all of my 5 songs. I am super happy about my original 3. Now the two new songs for me are "What's love got to do with it?" by Tina Turner and "Take on me". When the music director was explaining the new assignment, he told me "It just feels like it's your song, Momo!" I had never heard of "What's love got to do with it?" but yeah, if you say so!
After listening to it, I realized, ya, it's a song that keyboard plays a significant part. The school app has this song's sheets which made it a lot earlier on me. And yes, there are two different keyboard flows going at the same time and I am the only keyboard player for this song! So double keyboard it is! I confirmed with my teacher on my keyboard lesson, and ya, double keyboard I will use! I will also do vocal reinforcement for "What's love" throughout the song. What fun!
For "Take on me", both keyboard players are assigned, my name was on top. I know the music director was thinking about me taking on the most highlighted part. But after going through the sheets, my teacher thought the lower part of the keyboard was equally challenging, especially if I wanted to add to the vocals. The highlighted part of the keyboard has "a short star of the show" feeling but most of the part stays dormant. My teacher is also Victoria's teacher, so I guess he also wants her to try some of the highlights. For all of the original 4 songs, her part was nothing like solo or standing out. I suspect the 3 news songs too, although I haven't listened to any. For sure, I don't mind at all. The music director will decide but the music teacher said he was going to give recommendations. I will be super happy for anything. I will be happy for Victoria too, if she can handle the fast-paced highlights, ya she will, no problem.
I am already imagining myself operating on the double keyboard so seriously but extremely sexy, making all that funky highlights, and singing "What's love" to the mic. What a pro, how fun!
