Controlled or Free-wheeling Style? Which is better?

[lamurud]

I don’t know how many people have heard keyboardists who play in such a way that their keyboard almost replicates the bass line sounds and progression of a guitar.
This is what made me choose my keyboard  teacher of 2 ½  years. He also teaches my 11 year-old son.  

What I am grappling with is that he does not want me to sound like that because he is always asking me to accentuate my melody  (I almost always double my bass line e.g. E-E).  He is almost graduated from  the Bible College in Lanham, MD where he majored in Piano and Theology. This must have influenced him. His playing is still great nevertheless but I like a roaring bass line.

This question to the experienced keyboardists, should one follow this more controlled style or the more carefree one?  


Lamurud

[B3Wannabe]

Do what you feel.

[Razzman]

If you are not playing with a bass guitar go for it, at that point you own the song   .Usually a bass guitarist don't like the keyboard walkin allover there stuff. At least in the last few groups I've had the honor to play in.

[ddw4e]

It's all up to what u want your style to be and stick with it

[BBoy]

One of the best things about music is that one style of playing gospel doesn't negate the other. In fact, being a well-rounded musician often means playing what the church wants to hear, and that can vary from church to church.

So  my point is this . . . why not master both styles; the one you want to play with the roaring baseline, and the one your teacher wants you to play with the melody in front and accenuated? You may look back one day and say, "I'm glad I practiced both ways of playing a baseline!"

I am right now learning from tow very talented teachers, but they are so different there is no comparing them. One is a meloday type of guy, the other is a traditional gospel kind of guy. As a result, GOD is giving me my own expression and I AM LOVING IT.

PRAISE HIS NAME FOREVER!

Okay, I'll quit before I preach . . .

Be Blessed . . .  

BBoy  

[aljeres]

" together we stand and divided we fall "


fast songs, with no bass guitar indeed needs a good heavy bass!
slow songs indeed need acentuation, clearity, smoother transitions!

i personally believe in padding along behind the keyboardist, while on the organ! let him dictate the song!......it should be less work for an organist with a capable keyboardist.......your teacher sounds like he is doing just that......you will need to follow his lead...........bass can and will definitley be an issue, when their is a well capable keyboardist around!

focus on the main areas of transitions.........and if playing the melody accompanies his playing, hands down! you should do it!

fact is: when musicians can play music in a way to compliment one another, it makes all of you sound bad!

[JoyCH]

 I would try to do as my instructor teaches me but if I'm not feeling it. Tell him.

Joy