Re: [Worship] Keyboarding question and introduction

["Fred Kohn" <fkohn@columbus.rr.com>]

Tina wrote:

>I've realized that I love playing an instrument in the band, and I want to
>be the best that I can. Simply holding down chords with my left hand is
>'ok,' but not enough.

Sometimes it IS enough!

The tendency of people that switch from playing piano or organ to playing
keyboard in a band is to try to do too much. You're probably used to playing
solo arrangements on the organ, where you provide melody, rhythm, bass line
et al. The concept on keyboard is different (unless of course you're simply
using your keyboard as a "substitute" organ or piano).

When I use an organ sound on the keyboard I often play "one handed". (That
leaves one hand free to raise to the Lord...) The other things I may do are
this:

1. Play a bass line with the left hand and chords with the right (but you
gotta make sure you're not clashing with the bass player, if you have one).

2. Play a bass note or simple chord with the left hand and the melody with
your right hand (or an improvised counter melody)

3. Play chords with wider voicings using both hands (more of a piano
technique) and use one hand (usually the right hand) to provide some
rhythmic interest (like something syncopated against the main rhythm).

Oh, and if you're using a hammond-like organ sound you can play the chords
with your right hand and use the left hand on the modulation wheel of your
keyboard for leslie-like effects. Just make sure you don't grab the pitch
wheel by mistake ;~)

The bottom line is that you're probably doing plenty even though you "feel"
like you're not doing enough.
-------------------

If you get into using string sounds you can do more damage than good by
making the texture too thick. With a lot of the heavier string sounds, even
a one handed chord is too much. Stick to one or two notes and don't space
them too closely.


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