Aside from powerhouse horn sections, organ trios are my favorite sound. I never tire of listening to the subtle changes that the drawbars and the pedal can make as you back up a great melody. Swing me, baby. 8 to the bar.

Learning is tough, tedious and humbling. Made a big mistake of listening to some top jazz on my 4 hour drive home past weekend. I am quite confident on my theory and playing, but after listening to the 'pro', it made me want to quit. I got over if fast though....

For me just learning to play keyboard is a challenge since I started to learn to play one at age 63, five years ago.

🤔

Zuki, interesting observation but one that we've all had. But here's the thing; it's usually their out-of-this-world technical ability (playing proficiency) that makes us feel so completely inadequate, BUT, it really shouldn't. Technical proficiency only provides a means of expressing what is REALLY important; that's the ability to communicate, musically, from one soul to another; the ability to stir deep emotions in yourself and others. If you have nothing to say, if you're an empty vessel, then all the technique in the world isn't going to mean much more than being able to dazzle someone at a house party. Just worry about what YOU have to offer and don't worry about how fast that other guy can make his fingers move. If I didn't believe that, after watching say, a Hiromi performance, I'd never go near a keyboard again . In fact, after watching a 13 yr. old Joey Alexander, I almost DID give it up .

It would be nice if everyone had the same degree of playing ability; then it would just be a matter of who had the most musical soul. Look, if you can play a blues and create a dark mood, or 'Sweet Caroline' and get everyone singing, or 'Anniversary Waltz' and get a loving elderly couple up on the dance floor, then you've done your job as a musician. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY.

chas

I use Don Mason! He hits me with a challenge, usually about one a month, but sometimes more often, I look up the song on you tube, download the lyrics, then dig into my keyboard and find a style file that is as close to the original song as possible. Sometimes, but not always, I learn the song in a day or two, and some, seem to take forever. Then I post then on the https://www.keyboard-player.org.uk/? forum in their various, often monthly challenges. There are some incredibly talented players and performers there, most of which far exceed my best efforts. They have, fortunately, accepted that I'm just an old hack entertainer, and never seem to criticize my lousy playing techniques - some really nice folks from around the world.

If you cannot learn new songs from Don Mason, you cannot learn anything at all.

All the best,

Gary

Funny you should word it that way. I think of BB King - not a great technical player, but soul for miles. Sometimes, the actual talent or proficiency is not enough to provide the essence, or the feeling that can touch someone. Some of the world's most loved songs are the simple ones.
"Crazy", for one. Couldn't be easier, couldn't be a simpler performance. My number one request of all time. It doesn't even have a happy ending - I don't get it!

Hi Charles: Learning while performing is a "bridge too far" for me to even consider. I do my own demos of the songs I write but never perform in public... so I can sure understand the tremendous pressure you feel. In my case, recording in my tiny studio... alone and unfettered, if I mess up... I simply start the whole process over. The keyboard has been set up in advance, all the instruments needed and multi-pads desired for crucial parts are selected and waiting to be used. Now if only I can muddle through the vocal and end up with a decent recording to play for a limited and ever-shrinking audience.

Hang in there. Practice makes perfect and you are very brave in my eyes. Regards, ----Dave Rice

www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice/