Vocal Selections (Melody in piano or not)

[hanabana]

I have a question for all pianists out there, just out of curiosity. When you buy vocal selections, do you generally prefer the ones with the melody in the piano part, or the one without? I have purchased a few, all without melody in the piano part, just because it sounds more like the orchestra in an actual show, and would accompany a vocalist better. However, I'm picking up a Wicked vocal selections book, and they have both, and I'm debating on which one I should get. I rarely play for any vocalists, it's usually just myself playing at the piano, sometimes singing along. So for that purposes, I wonder if I should try getting one with the melody so that playing it would sound more like a piano solo piece? So I was just curious what everyone's preferences/comments might be. Also, do you generally find that the ones with the melody built into the piano part are easier to play? I have heard that and wonder if it's true.

[thetinymagic2]

It depends on how good a sight singer you are. I usually buy sheet music without a separate melody line. The melodies are usually built into the piano arrangements anyway. It also depends on how good an ear you have, and how advanced your piano technique is. Sheet music is usually arranged for beginner/intermediate, so they're usually pretty easy to play, and in easy key signatures.

[Inigomontoya]

I think it depends if you want to play it as a piano solo piece, in which you just play to appriciate the song, or if you want to play and sing with it(and then you won't need the melody line).

It's a shame only a handful of Broadway books gives you the option like the Wicked one. My worst experience was with the Title of show book, which has the melody inside which is retarded since the entire show has only one piano.

[newintown]

I totally despise vocal selections that incorporate the melody into the accompaniment. And I loathe singers who need the pianist to play the melody for them in performance.

Other than that, I'm usually pretty cheerful.

[darquegk]

I generally don't care much either way. Like it's been said, vocal line in melody means it works as an instrumental piece if you don't have a singer around.

Plus, the ubiquitousness of licensed scores and printouts these days means that many singers are likely to have examined the whole score of a show they're singing pieces from, and thus probably have extracts from the P/C or MTI score, as often as they will the vocal selections.

[Quiche2]

I own the WICKED one with the vocal melody line. It just depends on your preference and what you want to do with it. I sing and play the piano together, and I am awful at remembering what note to sing, so the melody line helps me a lot. But I guess in the end it just comes down to what you want to do with it.