I come from an organ background, but don't do running bass lines. I have always put strings, organ,guitars,piano, or some suitable sound for my left hand. I use it for movement, modulation, or added rhythm.

I have been watching other keyboard players and it seems most just use the left hand to define chords with no sound. I expect that many home players would do this as a rudimentary way of playing, but I see pros doing this also.

In the latter case, I begin to wonder if my style is an overkill. In other words, is more better or not. As a caveat, I have been playing for over fifty years, but that doesn't make it right, but is it necessary.

Bernie

Good question

In general it depends on the style if having strings or organ chords on the left hand adds anything.. or just adds to much..

I don't use any left Hand sound on split kb....

It depends upon the style used, and the song itself.

Gary

Bernie
like you I use my left sounds. For me less of the style and more of my left hand; adding the left hand adds more to live playing and gives both hands the opportunity to work against each other. Closer to live playing.

Good post Bernie, John C.

Donny
A very simple example of what John means is a D7 resolving to a G chord using D9,D-9,D7,G to provide movement in a sustaining passage.

The downside in a faster piece is the left is tied up and can't reach for a keyboard change.

Bernie, this is a great topic.

I rarely use a sound in the left hand anymore...the exception would be a swing style, where I would put a piano sound in my left hand.

I found that a lot of the sustaining type sounds, such as strings (actually, especially strings) were a bit dense sounding and muddy, unless I was voicing my chords openly (notes far apart), which isn't always convenient.

Most times, all that is needed is to raise the volume of the pad voice in the factory style, as that style part is usually voiced properly for that kind of use...generally using one to three notes that sustain or are held. To try and play those notes in the left hand using a LH voice quite often interferes with how the instrument reads the chord.

Most, if not all, of the styles I use are edited versions done by me...and, they are assembled with the intention that I don't require the use of a left hand sound. They usually have new Pad parts and sometimes new Phrase parts...I have a small but very useful selection of donor styles I take parts from.

So, ultimately my answer to your question would be mostly no, with the exception as stated above.

Ian

Bernie I understand but it's not my playing style to use
LH voicings, we all play differently there are no rules in arranger KB playing, that's why we have so many options...and thank you for the explanation.

On ballads I sometimes use vocal oohs and aahs on the left hand. Usually nothing, except in songs such as Last Date, where I use piano sound on LH.

I'll sometimes use left hand sounds. Usually to 'build' the song as it goes along.

The real trick is to give yourself the option when you want it...

Try setting up the LH sound so that very light playing makes it not sound, only harder hits (say 40vel or what feels good) makes it sound. The arranger will still get the chord recognition whether it sounds or not. Now you can use sounds like horns or saxes, Rhodes, stuff like that that you may not want ringing out on the one every chord change, but can be put in to emphasize beats, stuff like that.

Another trick to open up what you can do with the LH is to combine that (or have the sound right down to the lowest strengths) with PianoStyle chord recognition. Now, unless you play THREE notes, the chord won't change. So you can play the chord at the 'one' (I still like to set it up so light touch doesn't sound, though), but single and dual notes don't change the chord recognition. Do this with a string sound, or say muted t'bones, French horns, synths, whatever, and you can chord AND play counter lines, or play simple chords then add the extensions just to your playing, not the accompaniment (cool to do 6/9's, maj7/9's etc. while the accompaniment stays on basic maj/min or open 5th chord patterns).

Another way to use this is to have say a bass 'pop' or slap, that ONLY sounds at the highest velocities. You can now chord, then add in a few bass tricks to give the bassline a bit of variety.

Yet another option, if you have a swell pedal, is set it up so it ONLY swells the LH sound. Now you have full control of when the LH sound is heard and when it is not.

I'm sure you can all think of many ways to use tricks like these... Seems a shame to use half of your hands to do little more than trigger the arranger's accompaniment! Doubling what YOU play allows you to switch off some of the arranger's Parts, and get something a bit less repetitive.

A lot of good information here as an alternative. I appreciate all of your thoughts. I play my way because I am able to, but, you know how habits are, there are times to free myself up a bit.

I like the velocity and pad alternatives.

Great topic Bernie, and thanks to excellent input from the contributors!! -Ted