Ticklin' the Ivories

November 17, 2007 1:19 PM

Please help me find my piano muse!

So I recently joined a band (woohoo!) that consists of an acoustic guitar, an electric bass, a kick-ass drummer, and now, me on keyboards and backup vocals.

It's scads of fun, however, I'm having some difficulty finding my niche. Because I've been playing solo for 8 years, I'm used to playing piano ballads and/or more piano driven rock and I don't know how to mold my style into one that fits the acoustic/funk/chick-rock sound of the band without overpowering the lead guitar or merely playing simple chords that echo the guitar.

What I'm looking for are examples of songs or bands that have acoustic guitars as the main element and use keyboards as supportive, but still influential, components of the music.

I hope this makes sense!

posted by chara to media & arts (10 comments total)

The Decemberists use keys and accordion pretty tastefully.

The fact that you're thinking about this at all is a good first step. I've played with various classical pianists, and they almost always play too much and ruin the song. The most important thing is to listen to everyone else and stay out of their way. You've got a lot of octaves to work with, so pick the ones that make the most sense in context and stay focused on rhythm. Think of yourself as a percussion player.
posted by ludwig_van at 1:39 PM on November 17, 2007

The Stars also use keyboards in the way you're describing, although they're a bit more electric than I think you want. Try "Calendar Girl", for one.

Elliott Smith, The Flaming Lips (especially "Waiting for Superman"), "Face Down" by Katie Todd Band (again a little more electric), R.E.M ("Daysleeper"), Sia's "Breathe Me", and Death Cab for Cutie's "Transatlaticism" all might help.

I noticed in listening to these that in many the pianist is frequently repeating a very simple chord progression much as a guitar might. That might be a good thing to keep in mind.
posted by fuzzbean at 3:55 PM on November 17, 2007

Listen to some Buckingham/Nicks-era Fleetwood Mac. Christine McVie is a terrific pop/rock pianist and more than holds her own against the guitars.
posted by non sum qualis eram at 6:29 PM on November 17, 2007

Please, please, please, no boogie-woogie.

Other than that, Jobriath is just about the best piano-oriented rock I've found. Early Elton John, Todd Rundgren, Carole King, etc.
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:01 PM on November 17, 2007

Oh, speaking of Fleetwood Mac, listen to Trials of Van Occupanther by Midlake. Great album and lots of nice uses of keys as texture in a rock band setting.
posted by ludwig_van at 12:32 AM on November 18, 2007

The Stars
posted by ludwig_van at 12:33 AM on November 18, 2007

Van Halen's "Right Here, Right Now." Or, anything from Blessid Union of Souls.
posted by allkindsoftime at 4:20 AM on November 18, 2007

Mexico's Cafe Tacuba has a great keyboard player who fits your description perfectly. He is consistently melodic and rhythmic, overpowers anyone, but he is always playing great lines.

Their first few records were more acoustic, and they cover such a wide range of genres that, without a doubt, you'll fall in love with a lot of their music.

If you could only get one album from them, I'd recommend Re.
posted by micayetoca at 6:09 PM on November 18, 2007

oh, and I forgot to say...any chance you'll post some of your band's music to Music once you record something?
posted by micayetoca at 6:24 PM on November 18, 2007

Thanks for the recommendations, y'all!
micayetoca, I'll see what I can do about posting.
We're all broke college kids, but I'm sure we can pitch in for some studio time.
posted by chara at 3:55 PM on November 24, 2007