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Pianist/Keyboard Players, I need your advice

#21
For technique, a good classical teacher is the way to go. They've been practicing for hundreds of years and they know what to show you.

As for harmony and azz voicings, a classical pianist will not be able to help much.

For that get a good theory book or a jazz teacher.

IME , iMO

Keys is a freakin hard instrument.
 
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#22
ugly_bassplayer said:
For technique, a good classical teacher is the way to go. They've been practicing for hundreds of years and they know what to show you.

As for harmony and azz voicings, a classical pianist will not be able to help much.

For that get a good theory book or a jazz teacher.

IME , iMO

Keys is a freakin hard instrument.
Click to expand...

.. but it is all of music laid out in a linear fashion. Good place for any kid's first instrument. sax? Not so much. :)
 
#27
There are a lot of popular tunes to cover that have no bass guitar, but the bass function is being served by the keys/synth. These tunes can be covered with a bass guitar and effect pedals, perhaps. However, I think it wise to be able to plays keys at least well enough to play the bass part, as originally recorded, on the keyboard as required. All I try to do is play keys well enough to groove on one note at a time.
 
#28
having played piano since 1963 ... i still play scales ( use your imagination ..!! ) work on both hands equally ... chords, arps , exercises ...

learn all the appropriate 'fingers' for all 12 major scales ... after you have them fairly well mastered ,...
then try playing all those scales with the basics C fingering ..! ha ... it hurt my brain and fingers ...

picked up a great Chopin type exercise from a Jordan Rudess vid somewhere ... i'll see if i can find it .. great exercise ..!

i play key/left hand bass and keys /vocals ( & bass / gtr / whatever ) ... get out of your comfort to find interesting challenging stuff to work on ... but stay within yourself while performing ...
 
#29
TheLowDown33 said:
In my cover band we have been doing more and more Pop and Top 40 music that's very synth-centric. As a result, the keyboard player and myself have been splitting duties as far as covering the most important parts of these songs with me usually taking the bass parts for obvious reasons.

I understand music theory at a higher intermediate level and know my way around a keyboard from using it as a teaching tool. I also am fairly into synths, so I've also spent time with a keyboard because of that. I can play (monophonic) synth bass pretty well, and certainly well enough for the material we've been playing. The problem I foresee is that my lack of technique will make it difficult to multitask parts in the future.

Are there any resources that you all can recommend to me as far as the technical side of piano. For example, more on how to play scales/chords efficiently and effectively rather than what makes a scale/chord. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I'm no piano virtuoso, I'm self taught. But two of my relatives are
very accomplished piano players. They both used a book series called "finger power" or something like that, for the sole purpose of reaching higher technical proficiency. You might look into that series.
 
#30
Thanks all for the feedback. It looks like the best plan of action is to find a teacher to learn the basics from and then take it from there with some book resources and maybe some intermittent lessons after that. As much as I would like, keys are never going to be my primary instrument, but if I can comp comfortably I'll consider that a win.
 
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