Question:
Hi, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to utilize the keyboard when it is playing with the guitar? More specifically what sounds to use? Use block chords only? Anything would be helful
Blessings,
Jeremy
Answer:
At the church I go to, the keyboard fits on the right side of the stage in the front, directly to the leader's left side.
[less cheeky] I think that there are many, many ways the keyboard can be utilized. Block chords, full runs, leading occasionally even.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Praizin_Him Hi, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to utilize the keyboard when it is playing with the guitar? More specifically what sounds to use? Use block chords only? Anything would be helful
Blessings,
Jeremy
Most keyboard players are too busy. How's that?
Richard
Answer:
I agree with the above that most keyboard players are too busy. In a band the keyboard is in the rhythm section, and should normally be "comping" like the rhythm guitarist. I also see a lot of keyboardists who are ok with playing a lot of notes closely spaced together and right in the sweet spot of the human vocal range. Often (not always, though), this sounds muddy and makes the singers sound more "off" than they may already be.
Currently, due to a pretty severe injury to one of my fingers, I'm the keyboardist instead of the guitarist, and I'm finding that sometimes it's hard to practice what you preach. It's not too hard, though, for a keyboard player and a guitarist to exist peacably.
Nate
Answer:
Originally Posted by nate95366 I agree with the above that most keyboard players are too busy. In a band the keyboard is in the rhythm section, and should normally be "comping" like the rhythm guitarist. I also see a lot of keyboardists who are ok with playing a lot of notes closely spaced together and right in the sweet spot of the human vocal range. Often (not always, though), this sounds muddy and makes the singers sound more "off" than they may already be.
Currently, due to a pretty severe injury to one of my fingers, I'm the keyboardist instead of the guitarist, and I'm finding that sometimes it's hard to practice what you preach. It's not too hard, though, for a keyboard player and a guitarist to exist peacably.
Nate I see your agreement and raise you one.
Too many times the keyboard and guitar are not coordinated, orchastrated would be a better word, and they just bang into each. Our ears are our most important tool. Those things on the side of your heads aren't turnips. You have to listen to what the other guys are doing. If the keyboard is playing all kinds of notes in between the chords, the guitar would do well to lay back, and vice versa. Someone would do well to paly the melody if possible. I love doing that on guitar. Big fat ultra distortion that the singers can latch onto. Sounds like a Journey concert.
Richard
Answer:
Classically trained pianists are the worst - no offense classically trained pianists - in my experiences keys players often don't know how to fit in with a band. Many pianists learned the instrument as a solo instrument and have a tendency to speed up and slow down as they feel...also, I agree with R, most are just WAY too busy on those keys. At one of the church's I play at, I've had to pretty much change the way I approach the electric guitar because the pianist there wants to do everything, rhythm, melody, harmonies, etc. and that doesn't leave much room for an electric guitar because so often we take up the same sonic space. I've had to experiment with playing arppegios high on the fretboard, picking single notes in spots where they mean the most, playing the melody - as was already mentioned, etc.
To get back on topic, if you have a keys player who wants to do it all, beg and plead with them to become a team player and chill out a bit, in a loving way of course
Answer:
Moving to the keyboard forum...
Answer:
What the keyboardist will do all depends on how many other instruments there are, and what all of them are doing. A lot of keyboardists will muddy the sound up a lot by doing a solo style, lots of arpeggios an the left hand, too much stuff on the right hand, it just ends up butting into what everyone else is doing. A good keyboardist will fill on where they are needed, as a rhythm comper, a lead melodic instrument, or other.
Answer:
Just to be fair....
There are many guitarists who are the same way...
It all depends on what your lead instrument is.
I have no problems backing off on keys when needed...
(but I also hardly ever have to, as it is the lead)
Sometimes my friend Sean plays guitar with us, and it works...
we can switch lead instruments, no problem....
But our last guitarist....woo....
Can you say "80's riff all the effing time?!"
Answer:
Originally Posted by PontiusPirate Just to be fair....
There are many guitarists who are the same way...
It all depends on what your lead instrument is.
I have no problems backing off on keys when needed...
(but I also hardly ever have to, as it is the lead)
Sometimes my friend Sean plays guitar with us, and it works...
we can switch lead instruments, no problem....
But our last guitarist....woo....
Can you say "80's riff all the effing time?!"
You are correct, there are guitarists who have the same problem. I would say, generally, the problem is more noticeable with pianists though.
I would also like to add that there are a lot of pianists who DO know how to play with a band, and it sounds like you are probably one of the "good ones"
Answer:
You are correct, there are guitarists who have the same problem. I would say, generally, the problem is more noticeable with pianists though.
True, it seems (as I have not been around many bands that use both...or have a problem with it).
I would also like to add that there are a lot of pianists who DO know how to play with a band, and it sounds like you are probably one of the "good ones" Ha. I guess.
Ok...back to the actual topic...
Hi, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to utilize the keyboard when it is playing with the guitar? More specifically what sounds to use? Use block chords only? Anything would be helful It depends on what sound you are going for...it would be helpful to know that first.
Answer:
There is distasteful playing that goes on all over the place, but most pianists don't start out training to play in a band situation, so there's a learning curve like anything else.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. There is distasteful playing that goes on all over the place, but most pianists don't start out training to play in a band situation, so there's a learning curve like anything else.
Yes, that is a point I was trying to make and I probably articulated it very poorly.
Anyways, to try and get back on topic:
Try and listen to what the band is doing and determine what best will fit the current song. Perhaps it is just block chords, or maybe it's the melody, or whatever. This advice really goes for all musicians - Listen!

Answer:
Me and the keyboardist try to sound nice together - both rhythm but we will play softer to let the other play louder in certain bits (not both hammering out as hard as you can makes a difference) and figure out some chords so things dont clash etc.