What to play when there is no Piano part on a song? This article is about how a keyboard play a song that doesn’t have a keyboard or piano part. Particularly for keyboard players that rely on the mp3 or original sound of the song. This is mostly happens on gigs with bands the cover songs. What if a song doesn’t have any keyboard sounds? There are options for this dillemma. Let’s dig deeper to find out.
Piano Sound as a sound choice
First, as a keyboard player, you can just play piano on all songs if you don’t have any idea what to play. However, play just enough to compliment the band. Don’t overpower them. Less is more. So the subtle sound you provide here is good enough to boost the band’s overall sound. Also remember the keyboardist role. Your selected keyboard sound/s affects the overall sounding of the band. More on to this later.
The next items below particularly uses either an Arranger Keyboard or a Synthesizer Keyboard.
These two are both electronic piano instrument or electronic keyboards, their capabilities and primary uses vary. What is the difference between the two?
Keyboards for arrangers are often equipped with a variety of sounds, built-in styles and accompanying patterns, and are intended for live performance. They frequently have built-in sequencing and drum machine capabilities and are made to make it easy for the player to build complete arrangements and accompaniments.
Conversely, synthesizer keyboards concentrate on creating and manipulating sound, frequently providing a wide range of sound-shaping choices, such as modulation, effects processing, and various analog and digital synthesis approaches. Although they can be used in live and studio situations, synthesizers are more suited to electronic and experimental music and may not have as many built-in effects.
To learn more on types of keyboard piano click this link.
Personal Tip: The common sound to choose is what the band lacked.
Although it’s often a keyboardist’s primary responsibility to cover other instruments in bands, these songs don’t really “ask for a keyboard” because the original song didn’t have one. So the sounds that will be discussed below can be an alternative to piano sounds.
E. Piano
E stands for “Electric” in E. Piano. The sound of this is known as the Fender Rhodes. This has a distinct sound that sets apart from the Piano or Acoustic Piano Sound. Soft sounding is one of its characteristics. This is not the only sound that modern keyboard pianos has in its category. Other sounds has more twinkly, others has some effects and mostly used in 80s sounds.
This is one of my favorite sounds due to it’s nighttime vibe. If you know the songs from the 80s like “Who’s holding Donna now” by DeBarge or “Babe” by Styx, both sounds are different but its from the family of the E.Piano Sound. If you want the song to have a nostalgic vibe or chill vibe, you can choose this particular sound.
Organ
You know what this is. Mostly heard at some churches, this sound has a wide array of usage. There are variations of the organ sound. So for example, if you want to give a reggae vibe, you can use this one. It can be used as a subtle sound when playing in a band for complimenting the overall sound. Songs such as “I’m a believer” by The Monkees to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran can give you samples of different usage of the Organ sound.
Strings
Strings is the most frequently imitated sound that is used during gigs. Whether its orchestral or quartet sound, you can never go wrong with strings. You can play it as subtly or obviously depending on the song. An orchestra is expensive just to perform a song for a simple gig or a mini concert. As an alternative, the keyboardist can do the Strings part.
However, If a song has a piano and ALSO has Strings included, either you layer both sounds, or have another Keyboard Player to play the Piano or Strings Part. This is not only for piano sound. It can be another sound from the keyboard may require Keys 1 Player and Keys 2 Player. If you watched the live version of “A thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton you will get what I mean. I also included the video below.
Brass
Another frequently used sound is the Brass section synth sound. When the band you’re playing with is a variety in playing style or genre, the brass section sometimes are not included. So, if the band doesn’t have a brass section, and your song you want to cover needed the brass sound, you can opt to this sound. Examples are “What you won’t do” by Bobby Caldwell and “Smooth” by Santana feat. Rob Thomas.
Pads and Synth
Other notable sounds or patch to use is Pads and Synth. Synth pads are distinguished by their ethereal and enduring properties. They are frequently employed in music to produce lush, ethereal, and background textures. As the name implies, synth leads are utilized to carry melodic lines and take the lead position in a piece. They are frequently distinguished by their cutting, bright sounds that stand out in a mix.
Pads are keyboard patch that sound passive and great for ambient vibe sound. Synths are more used in Electronic Pad or EDMS. One good example using both sounds is “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars. In this song, there are different sounds used. During the Pre-Chorus, you can hear the Pad sounds, In the Chorus Part, the Synth Lead.
Not to play anything
You can also choose not to play at all. It’s OK for a band to perform one or two songs throughout a set that don’t feature the complete ensemble. If the keyboardist can sing, they can skip playing an instrument and just do lead or backup vocals. If the keyboardist is a good enough singer to handle lead vocals, a song like this is an opportunity to focus their full attention on singing.
Some players has another instrument besides piano. If you can play one more instrument like Saxophone, Guitar, Violin or Flute, you can instead play it when there is no piano sound. The only downside of this style is when you bring both instruments, the logistics will be you need a vehicle or you are fully loaded with your gears.
My Preference
To summarize, What to play when there is no Piano part on a song? As a non-singing keyboardist, I prefer to play something even a subtle sounding patch to complement the band. For the multiple instrument style, though I have done it only once, a Guitar (Electric or Acoustic) or Ukulele for my secondary instrument. If you can also do it and if it’s not a hassle for you to bring another instrument, you can do it too as long as the band allows you to.
You may produce distinctive and fascinating sounds for your part by experimenting with various sounds, playing methods. You can judge the sound to choose based on the overall sounding of band, In time you’ll get what I’m implying on this post and you can identify quickly what sound to use. When the time comes, you can also identify your sound style. You can do what I do which is mostly on synth pads/synth leads or you can discover your own style based on your preference. Happy Playing!
