Playing Keyboard Whilst Accompanying Singer.
I only play for pleasure at home, I play Keyboard by reading music (not by ear) In fact I quite like reading music, a bit like reading a book.
I play chords with accompany styles in left hand and melody with a selected voice in the right hand as most players do.
Usually I mute most style parts leaving Drums -Bass with my left hand playing Piano or El-Piano. this encourages me to put chord fills in occasionally between the chord changes into the Drums & Bass backing.

I am interested in developing my backing technique, so what do you pros do when either singing the melody line yourself or accompanying a singer. Do you vamp the chords also with the right hand with the occasional arpeggio. I can play and use most chords, but do not bother with the 9th & 13th etc:
I practice usually around a 12 bar sequence mostly in C although I normally play and read music in most key signatures.

Can I have your input please......I am sure there are many Forum members who would be interested in this subject.

Graham UK

I have been playing and accompany singers voice with one man band (arranger) for a while. If I wanted full band effect, I use the built in drums style from the arranger. I also use my left hand for manual bass, and right hand for chords and transitions with very little melodies. It works quite good and feels like a full live band. If you use the automatic rhythm, you will not get a LIVE feeling unless the rhythm really fits well with the song. With the manual bass and your own chords, you can accentuate better. This method really works for me and I know some of the great players in this forum (if not all) uses the same methods.

lukitoh......If I tried to play left hand Bass it would have to be a very simple Riff for me to handle it, and then it possibly would not sound good enough.....Its a bit like rubbing the top of your head with one hand and your tummy with the other, if you get my meaning HA!!
What's the simplest bass run I can get away with for starters??

It is something for me to consider trying, and thanks for your input.

Graham UK

Graham, The easiest way to get use to manual bass, is to use the root and fifth of a chord alternately[ as an example in a C chord, play C on the first beat of a 4/4 measure and G on the third beat, then try double beats , C on the first and second beat[try octaves too] and G on the third and forth.. After you are comfortable , try to walk the bass, in simple form, use the 4th and 7th within the chord..It will start to come natural, especially if you know chords well...Fran

Fran,
you are an egomaniac!

Graham UK,
I highly recommend learning manual bass - your playing quality will really improve. Pick some easy rhythms like those slow 8 beats. Then slowly learn the others. Your keyboard arranger is a great learning tool too. I learned many of my bass lines from my own arranger. At first, I just concentrate on the bass lines and not worry too much with my right hand and try to follow a song with simple bass lines from CD/tape. Don't start with walking bass lines - those are for more advanced players. It's like learning to ride a bike, you'll get used to it after a while.
-Han

Hi Graham,
Take it from one who dosen't read hardly a note of music. I have to learn it the other way. Many times not exactly the way it was written. I play mostly country style. Many times I use the last line of a song to open it,or the last line of the chorus.
Sometimes they have a special entry, in this case I try to use it.
I almost never play lead notes when someone is singing. When they are singing they are the lead. I always try to lead them into a verse.
I then play fill notes behind there singing,
but very low, giving them the floor! I come in a little louder to lead them into chorus or ect. In the middle of the song I may play a short turnover, maybe a couple of lines.
Then some kind of a ending, depending on the song! That said!
"Graham" I admire one who can read music.
I wish I had learned Years ago!! But now you
know how I have to do it!
Keep Pounding them keys,
Nobby

PS. Fran looks like the synthzone ghost is really busy tonight,look below! That's what they make delete for! HeHe! Sorry I just couldn't resist!

I fixed it Fran!


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[This message has been edited by Nobby (edited 07-30-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Nobby (edited 07-30-2001).]

Nobby, the word is "below" , that is why they have edit....

Fran,
Now why did I do that!
Excuse my english!
Nobby


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Nobby, I'm telling you it's the Synthzone ghosts..