Keyboardist: a worst role in a band?

For the past decade and more, I’ve been playing keyboards in a well-known regional cover band that has, over more than thirty years, performed on many different occasions, including weddings, corporate parties, grand openings, and other ceremonies. The band maintains a broad repertoire, featuring international and domestic music from various periods, from evergreens to some current hits. The accent is on the quality of performance and authentic sound, where keyboards play a pivotal role.

In a typical band that includes vocal, guitar, bass, and drums, keyboards frequently play a more static role, except when talking about parts that fall strictly in this domain, such as piano, organ, and synths. I have chosen a somewhat different approach, that also includes detailed arrangements for brass and strings, in-depth electronic productions, and even an active use of a breath controller - a device for controlling the keyboards by using your breath - that enables authentic performance of parts for say, saxophone or clarinet. I aim to draw the most out of the instrument’s possibilities and show that keyboards are not just an inferior substitution for certain instruments that you typically don’t see in smaller bands for practical reasons.

By choosing this path, I have complicated things more than they already are. For the uninitiated ones, keyboard instruments are among the most complex and demanding ones. The piano is an obvious example as one of the rare musical instruments that is completely self-sufficient, especially when talking about solo performances. In a band or ensemble, things are rather different, but there are still plenty of intricacies. For example, you often need to change a song's original key to fit a vocalist's musical abilities. On a guitar and other instruments from the same family, this is not such a big deal, and most often means shifting up or down the neck for a fret or more. On keyboards, however, each key or mode feels quite different under your fingers and can be more or less suitable for playing a certain part. This is just one example.

There is also a matter of sound programming and audio production, which is a science in itself. If you aim toward the authenticity of a given style, your program (setup) for just one song can easily include ten or more different sounds. This is without the lower keyboard (stage piano), which typically covers common sounds like pianos, electric pianos, organs, etc. In comparison, a guitarist can play the entire gig by using only a dozen sounds. Not to mention the fact that keyboardists simultaneously play at least two different music parts at the same time.

Another difficult circumstance is related to the gear itself. Keyboards are usually rather expensive musical instruments, and are, like all electronics prone to becoming “obsolete” over time. It is frequently difficult to follow the tech trends, especially if you are dealing with a limited budget. I’m not too concerned by this and believe that you can always draw out more from your current gear. But the time for a change always comes eventually. Unlike keyboardists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers do not have this problem. If they invest in quality gear from the start, this can remain relevant for many decades, with proper and regular maintenance. Keyboardists are here also in a worse position, as servicing electronic equipment is frequently more demanding and uncertain.

I would also point out the unfortunate fact that an average listener is frequently unaware of the influence of keyboards on the complete sound of a band. Usually, everyone is listening and looking at vocals, or eventually guitarists during a solo part, not thinking that most of what they hear in the end originates from keyboards. They are the very element that brings depth and sophistication into a typical band. Even for those performing primarily guitar-based music, keyboards will always bring an edge.

Playing the keyboard is a special endeavor by many accounts and is full of various challenges that can either motivate you or turn you off. As a multi-instrumentalist, I would perhaps advise all those interested in working in a serious band, to choose a different instrument. It would make your job easier and perhaps make you more visible. By all accounts, you will be at least equally paid. ;)