The Role of the 21st Century Keyboard Artist
Traditionally, keyboard players have played two different roles in the making of Jazz - first, as members of a rhythm section which usually includes bass, drums and possibly guitar, and second, as solo performers.
The history of Jazz is replete with performances in both areas. In recent years with advances in electronic keyboard development and decreases in music performance and recording budgets, the keyboardist is more and more required to play multiple roles.
All aspects of modern music are now required of the keyboardist - percussion, bass, horn parts, etc., in additon to the traditional accompanying and solo roles.
For years, organists have developed and played the role of bassists, as well as keyboardists. Pianists have done this less so, since traditionally they have played an acoustic instrument. Electronic keyboards have now made the dual role of pianist and bassist more prevalent.
Playing bass parts on the keyboard differs from traditional keyboard playing because the left hand must separate itself from the melody and chords that are typically played.
In medium to fast tempos the left hand can only play the bass part and is not free to play otherwise. The keyboardist, in these situations, must think in two separate parts - bass and keyboard. This is different from typical playing where the left and right hands are more or less integrated into a functional whole. Thus, playing left hand bass while playing chords and/or melodies in the right hand presents some problems to the average keyboardist. In essence, he or she must play two different instrumental roles at the same time.
My Online Program attempts to present some solutions to the problem of playing left hand bass lines and right hand chords at the same time.
So if you get an opportunity, you are welcome to visit: http://www.mrronsmusic.com/playpiano.htm
The history of Jazz is replete with performances in both areas. In recent years with advances in electronic keyboard development and decreases in music performance and recording budgets, the keyboardist is more and more required to play multiple roles.
All aspects of modern music are now required of the keyboardist - percussion, bass, horn parts, etc., in additon to the traditional accompanying and solo roles.
For years, organists have developed and played the role of bassists, as well as keyboardists. Pianists have done this less so, since traditionally they have played an acoustic instrument. Electronic keyboards have now made the dual role of pianist and bassist more prevalent.
Playing bass parts on the keyboard differs from traditional keyboard playing because the left hand must separate itself from the melody and chords that are typically played.
In medium to fast tempos the left hand can only play the bass part and is not free to play otherwise. The keyboardist, in these situations, must think in two separate parts - bass and keyboard. This is different from typical playing where the left and right hands are more or less integrated into a functional whole. Thus, playing left hand bass while playing chords and/or melodies in the right hand presents some problems to the average keyboardist. In essence, he or she must play two different instrumental roles at the same time.
My Online Program attempts to present some solutions to the problem of playing left hand bass lines and right hand chords at the same time.
So if you get an opportunity, you are welcome to visit: http://www.mrronsmusic.com/playpiano.htm
posted by Ron Worthy at
6:42 PM
