I've been playing piano/ keyboard for a while now, and in all self-honesty, I'm belive im pretty good. I've done gigs by myself, as well as gigs with a drummer, but thats about it. Now I keep getting offers from people to join their bands.

"we neeeeed a keyboardist!"

I always kindly say that I'm not interested. But heres the real deal; I have no idea how to play with a band. I can't just get up there and play the same way I would play if I was playing by myself right?

Then what?!

Please can anyone offer their advice???
thanx


*When I refer to a band, I am talking about
-drummer
-guitarist
-bassist
-mayybe a second guitarist
-and keyboard (me?)

First listen to them (if they play originals), then start to imagine your parts in the song! The same with covers!

Simple!

Luis Santos

Gee, if I could go back to a real drummer, bassist, guitarist and me I'd be in heaven. What I could do differently IS - simplify my chords and spread them out over the keyboard. I wouldn't have to play everything, but enough to be heard through the guitar and bass. I'd be able to make better on-the-fly registration changes. My piano and organ licks would actually get better. Try it, you might like it.

Thats a good point that I can relate to.

For a good number of years, I played as part of a 5-piece weekend, wedding/dance group. The group consisted of long-time close friends, school chums I grew up with. It was fun being a 'musician' in a band.

Eventually, due to the members starting families, starting careers, etc, we discontinued being 'musicians'. I sold my stuff and never missed it, not once, for 16 years.

Then, on a whim, I get a Casio (1600 i think it was) for my own personal enjoyment at home. I began being more creative and became more pleased with my sound and my style which in turn, brought me more enthusiasm for playing. I upgraded to a WK3500 and self-satisfaction increased even more.

Looking back, I now clearly see that I just enjoyed being a so-called 'musician' and I never really got the enjoyment of playing music as I now do today.

I would give serious thought as to what I really wanted out of my music; fame, fortune, greater playing enjoyment, ALL OF THE ABOVE and determine if being on my own or being a part of a group would accomplish that goal.

I think the ultimate situation would be to have the time to continue developing your self, your own sound, your own creativity, while finding other players whose musical thoughts and ideas would blend well with your own. You can see some of the members here at SZ have had success and enjoyment doing that.

Best Wishes.
Ed

Grubba99:
I'm a keyboardist / guitarist in 2 bands. We play covers, let's face it, originals just aren't that big a draw unless you're a known artist, or it's a coffee house where the owner's name is "Starshine".
In the band(s) we basically take the songs apart, and each of us is responsible for learning the parts note4note. That way we're learning what's important as far as our own instrument goes, then we come together to see how it all gels...or doesn't gel as the case may be. As an example, we do a rendition of "Wild Nights"..Van Morrison. I've got over $3000 in keys sitting in front of me, yet my part is in fact very minimal,(because the slap bass and percussion carry this song)...but who cares....quite often, less is more, and in the case of this example...we knock the audience out with well worked out vocal harmonies.

Maybe I'm not saying this right. It sounds like you may be (and please don't take this the wrong way) lacking a little self confidence. Obviously these players can see something in you that you can't, so give it a shot...hell, the worst they can say is no. But If you've been approached, then give it a shot, otherwise, you'll always be wondering...."what if"??
As part of a band understand that you are no longer the show. That your part of something great that works together to make great music, and it's everybody doing their part that makes it sound great. Try it...have fun. I'm 53, playing on average every second weekend (Fri. & Sat.) and I'm having a ball. It's my "out"..it's my release, my passion, my leave work at work and go out and enjoy myself. Everyone's gotta have something in their lives that gives them that high. For me...it's playing in a band with great people.
Good Luck in whatever you do...
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...L


[This message has been edited by shboom (edited 10-11-2004).]

I just joined a "2nd time around band" which plays for dances at our culteral center.I was a bit reluctant since I play a KN7000 and the rest are saxes,horns,drums,and bass. Also,I was afraid that there might be some resentment toward an arranger keyboard.

I decided to let her rip only when they have special solo's,which the people love. The rest of the time I fill in with organ,vibes,accordian, or whatever is needed.

The band has come over and congratulated me and I think the reason why is because I bolstered the entire sound,and don't step on any toes and respect the old players. If I had come accross as a hotshot,it would have been different I'm sure.

I do my solo gigs,but, it is great fun,and much easier turning the reins over for a change.

I would say go for it.

Bernie

Wow this is a great topic.

I play in a band, but don't play solo. With so many people problems with bands, I'm contemplating going solo or duo with a female singer.

In the Band situation, you just don't want to overplay. As a solo, you are responsible for filling in the quiet with music. In the band, your job is to complement the other instruments and vocals.

Nice Chord voicings, tasty little licks, do-dabs, and tinkles will go a long way in the band situation. When it's time to solo, let it rip.

Thanx all for the input but perhaps i wasn't projecting my question clearly.

Bottom line; Theres a bassist covering the bass, theres a guitarist for chords and theres a guitarist for lead (mainly melody, or whatever) and obviously the drummer does the percussion.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME?
WHAT IS MY JOB IN THE BAND?

There are a lot of other voices you can use such as strings, sax, brass, pianos, organs. Your guitarists cannot do those voices.

Your band should play songs that takes advantage of those voices. If they just play songs that only needs guitars and drums then you are obviously not needed. There are many many songs that utilizes other voices than guitars. And in a song, a keyboardist may only play some portions and sometimes more or less but it certainly brings a lot to the songs. Also, you can take turns with the lead fills. Some with guitar, some with sax, some with organ, etc, etc.

Your job is ALL that other stuff that no one else can do. All the subtle fills, the string or brass pieces, the big B3 solo, the tight perc organ, the light chimes that make the couple sitting four tables away go "Wow...that's nice".
YOU..my friend.....do all the Magic!!
------------------
...L

[This message has been edited by shboom (edited 10-13-2004).]

I think that Grubba99 is looking for a more technical and specific answer; in fact he nailed the problem when he wrote "There's a bassist covering the bass, theres a guitarist for chords and theres a guitarist for lead (mainly melody, or whatever)
WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME?
WHAT IS MY JOB IN THE BAND?"

Well,I think that the trickiest part is the interaction with the rhytm guitar, because in a band a keyboardist is playing chords, most of the time, and only occasionally adding nice riffs or fills or solo's here and there...
So the trick is: you should always avoid to play the same chords with the same voicings in the same frequency range as the rhytm guitarist, because this would lead to the so called "sonic mud". Of course this implies a lot of work beforehand: you could ask the guitarist to show you how he plays the chords in a given song, and then try to play the same chords with different inversions, maybe one octave above or below him, until you both are satisfied with the result.
With the lead guitar things are much simpler: you just have to discuss with him beforehand which solos will be taken by whom.
Hope I answered at least in part your question and.... good luck!

There are many differences, but the main one is that you should share the load of the song.

Your left hand is almost free from its rhytmn job, because there are a bass and a drum for this, and your main job will be:
1) pad chords
2) a couple of solos here and there

So the main problem is your satisfaction: will the joy of playing in a band with other people be enough? Will you like your "reduced" role?

I enjoy very much playing in band, but I have to say that I am not a good solo player, and sometime I need to hide myself behind the group.

Ciao
Riccardo

Grubba,

Can you give us a playlist or Setlist your band will be using?

I will tell you exactly what to play song-by-song!

Don't forget, guitarists strum the rythm. It's the keyboard players responsibility to keep the background harmony steady OR you can trade off with the guitarist and you keep the rythm while he/she keeps the backbone chords/harmony.

Give me a few song examples and we'll give you samples of what you should play.

[This message has been edited by kbrkr (edited 10-13-2004).]

Is this for real? You mean to tell me a keyboardist, any keyboardist, could dissect what a guitarist is playing, how he is comprising his chords, and alter his keyboard playing accordingly. I can't imagine. I mean, if you can, that's amazing but that blows my mind. How long would it take to rehearse a song? A hour or so or a week?

That's exactly correct. It shouldn't take long for a couple musicians to figure out that they're playing on each other's notes. It's real simple for a keyboard player to play block chords in that middle C range and have them lost - or worse yet, muddied up - with the rhythm guitarist. That's why I originally said playing in a band permits you to "spread out your chords." I find that when playing WITH the band I predominantly rely on piano and organ sounds. I use the others for color. But what I also do is play play up or an octave so that I can be heard (how often have you seen those B3 players screaming at the top of the register). I also find that drawbars can give me harmonics that cut through even at lower volums. Strings are famous for getting lost, especially in the middle registers, so percussive sounds like piano and organ IMO work best.

It sounds like you need to LISTEN to more music before you venture out and play live. The magic and fun of live ensemble playing is an artform in itself, and can best be learned by listening to bands that play your type of music.

Organs and strings generally sustain, while pianos and clavs are played more percussivly. Brass lines are usually a "hook" that defines the tune - just copy the riff.

The main trick here is no trick at all:
Listen
Study
Practice
Then, get out and have some fun with your skills !

Yes.... but you quoted me, and I was quoting Grubba 99...

Sorry ... my response goes to the original quote !

UD gave the answer before I did ... but I would expand it to LISTEN to other groups playing your type of music and OTHER types, so you can get different ideas as to what can or should be played ...
You never mentioned what type of music you are playing ... In some types (particularly jazz and 'American Songbook' standards), unison playing by kb (using piano or vibes voices, or even a 'human' voice) and guitar can add a beautiful effect ...
Again, to quote UD: listen, study, practice, have fun ...
t.

Hope this helps. First you say there are two guitars in the band, that's unusual for a niter band.Having said that, try to fill out the 'back of the band' as has been mentioned previosly if not in these specific terms.
If you are a soloist and are happiest being a soloist no band is goiing to make you feel 'utilized. some soloists simply have trouble understanding the team concept.
All these answers to your question have bveen right on.