Working with a Keyboardist

selowitch · #1 01-30-2010, 07:07 PM

I'm contemplating joining a band with a keyboardist, a luxury I've never had before. This prompts a question: What do you do to prevent overlapping too much with the keyboardist's bassline as executed with the left hand? Do keyboardists tend to de-emphasize the left hand (or omit it altogether) when playing with a bass player? I suppose it depends on the situation, but what are your general observations regarding this?

nato101010 · #2 01-30-2010, 08:03 PM

I play in a band (on bass of course) and play much keyboard/sax driven music (Hall & Oats, Joe Cocker, Little River Band, Colin James), and nothing we've done, between me and the keyboardist, has overlapped, unless the keyboard player was straying into unknown waters/experimenting. Playing with keyboardist leave SOO much room for the bassist lead instrument to do a lot of....."stuff". It's great.

fdeck · #3 01-30-2010, 09:38 PM

A keyboardist has to adjust their playing when there is a bassist. Some are trained to do this, others aren't. In jazz, they will tend to play with both hands, but closer together. In pop music, they may end up doing a lot with just their right hand.

selowitch · #4 01-30-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

In pop music, they may end up doing a lot with just their right hand.

That's what I thought. Of course, this isn't a hard-and-fast rule, just a general principle or trend.

PJSShearer · #5 01-31-2010, 06:37 AM

If you are both aware of what's going on then you won't have a problem - you play the Bassline and the Keytard plays harmony above that. There is no hard and fast rule as you say, but things generally even themselves out.

However:

Working with a Keys Player - Advice?

billphreets · #6 01-31-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

If you are both aware of what's going on then you won't have a problem - you play the Bassline and the Keytard plays harmony above that. There is no hard and fast rule as you say, but things generally even themselves out.

However:

Working with a Keys Player - Advice?

lmao @ keytard !! im SURE ive met him on numerous occasions lol

selowitch · #7 01-31-2010, 11:48 AM

You know what would be cool as an experiment? Transpose the top half of the keyboard to a range above the guitar, and send the bottom half of the keyboard down below the bass, sort of approximating bass or organ pedals (as made famous by Rush). Then you could have true four-part harmony and a potentially very full sound. Of course, done badly this would sound like junk; done well, you have something pretty cool.

Stumbo · #8 02-01-2010, 01:02 AM

Have the keyboard player use right hand only. Most songs don't require 10 finger chords. Or even 7-8 finger chords.

tobie · #9 02-01-2010, 10:50 PM

I play with 2x 'keyboardists' and the only time I'm having problems is when one of them sets the effects on either (but more so their left) hand to 'bass guitar'. Some of our combined notes then create a 'resonant' bass guitar sound, which drives me - and our soundman - totally crazy. Be aware of this - it might be necessary to (gently!) ask the keyboard player not to bring another bass guitar into play.

JTE · #10 02-02-2010, 07:47 AM

Well, you could spend some time listening to different kinds of keyboard players and how the bassists fit into that too. Listen to Elton John and see how his left hand works. There are places where he leaves a lot of space, there are places where Dee didn't play down low "traditional" bass ("Rocket Man" verses), and there are places where they are very disciplined and play the same thing exactly. You'll have to find the right mix for each song and they don't have to be the same way.

Like ANY band situation, it's about listening to each other and having the relationship to be able to talk about it without egos getting in the way. If you're both serving the SONG and not your instrument it'll be fine. BTW, this is a perfect example of why I'd rather work with someone who's got a good personality than with a jerk anyday.

John

tobie · #11 02-02-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

I'd rather work with someone who's got a good personality than with a jerk anyday.John

Oh yea for sure! Can't remember who it was, but you're echoing one of the great singers of our time: "Rather give me a good personality than a good musician to work with!" (implying a good musician but jerk at the same time).

JTE · #12 02-03-2010, 09:39 AM

Of course if they just can't play, it's not going to happen either. In the real world the choice is often between a competent player who is able to work well in a team environment and a GREAT player who is not able to play well with others. If that's the choice (and you do frequently get the great player who is also a good hang), I'm going with the person who won't make the band implode in six months.

John