Difference between Pianist & Keyboardist?

[dorm]

Is there any difference between Pianist & Keyboardist? Can a pianist play a keyboard or vice versa, what special skills are needed for either?

Modern keyboards are able to mimick a real piano touch and tone, from pressure sensors, to pedals etc.

The only difference I know is that a keyboard can install VST for different sounds, able to adjust volume, or add sound effects, some may have pitch bend/pitch shift.

So if I'm a pianist, can I play the keyboard in bands, or advertise myself as an available keyboardist?

 

[matthewchj]

Well from what I've heard, it's really dependent on your playing style. If you're a classically trained pianist you definitely can play like pop-style keyboards, just that you'll need to adapt and change your playing style slightly. There's still a learning curve to play keyboards, just not as steep as it would be if you didn't play the piano already.

 

[theliverevolution]

Well, being a keyboardist and a pianist myself, I find that keyboards is a lot much easier to play.

Partly because that for most keyboards used in modern music, the keys are either semi-weighted or unweighted, so you can just apply full force onto the keys without much thought of how it would sound like. Either way, the MIDI would still register and play the note. Even "Velocity-Sensitive" keys won't be entirely velocity sensitive - it'll just play the note accordingly, just that the volume has been changed depending on the force you put on the keys

Unless you talk about emulating real time instruments, such as strings and brass instruments, that is. The velocity sensitivity would play a huge part in shaping how they sound like. But as I've said, its all about the touch that you place on the keys.

Also, most common pop music doesn't require very much technique. You're mostly playing chords, scales, random notes, etc. Most music doesn't demand that you play it freakingly fast or in an expressive way. For expression, most people use the aid of an expression pedal or the analog effects to get it done.

Piano, unfortunately, is a lot more complicated then a keyboard. This is why a pianist always transits to a keyboardist with much ease but not vice versa. The piano is a very sensitive and technical instrument, especially if you want to play "classical" pieces. The techniques and different styles of such works are usually quite demanding, as you would need to get the tone and the feel of the song right. If you get it wrong, everyone facepalms at your playing.

By the way, while modern keyboards can handle the emulation of a piano well, nothing beats the instrument itself.

 

[foxxylady]

By the way, while modern keyboards can handle the emulation of a piano well, nothing beats the instrument itself.

I quite agree ^

 

[kongwee]

In a band setting, two keyboardist do different function. Commonly one keyboardist to do solo piano and the other sound design and do much complex midi device handing.

 

[l0u5y]

a keyboardist basically means u can play all forms of keyboard instruments. From organ, to piano to clav to synthesizers etc. A pianist plays piano only. Keyboardist are usually applied to more contemporary musicians while pianist are usually the classical players, or people who just stick to the piano. Pianist are usually soloist while keyboardist can be a soloist or plays with a band. Keyboardist require a totally different skill. As playing the keyboard is different from playing the piano. U cant play the organ in the same way as a piano. It is hard to define who is a keyboardist becoz its always overlapping somehow, and sometimes, some pianist is their later career might turn to keyboards as well.

 

[nikolaiski]

hmm...ok here goes..

Pianist:

Often a reclusive, hard-worked teenager and soon to be eccentric adult who has spent much of his youth practicing Hanon, Dohnyanyi (spell?) Clementi, Buona Vista, Commonwealth.. (ok u get the point)

Finished his grade 8 at 8 years of age, LRSM at 12, FRSM at 15, honorary masters at 20

An individual who prides himself on being able to play Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Liszt, Rautavaara, Marty Brunderly, Joey Jo-Jo Shabadoo, and other avant-garde shit that we've never even heard off.

Is often atas, an egoist, and gay

Uses the fact that he is an..ahem..pianist..to get to girls (and boys...)

Suffers from acute sinusitis, throws tantrums and mood swings when his fish is slightly dry, when his glass of water is slightly warm, or when his piano's A=439.99999Hz, instead of 440Hz

Thinks Maksim and Richard Clay(der)man, as well as Vanessa Mae in a broader context, are all traitors of the purist, classical doctrine and as a result, are blatant abominations and an insult to their music profession (usually cuz they can't earn as much as these popular icons -grin-)

Sees pop as the world's greatest sin and evil, and should be avoided at all costs, failing which their ears will burst a thousand explosions and their (male) genitals rendered sterile

----

Keyboardist

Usually an outwardly-friendly, extroverted, fun loving person, often found in the form of mats, thambis, ah bengs and ang mohs, all with one thing in common - they wear their shirts unbuttoned from the top so as to show off their manly chest hair, as well as their long sleeves folded up their arms in typical PCK style

Doesn't have a BLUES' clue of what an "adagio piu mosso" means, but can do a damn good job at playing said genre.

Can also improvise, play by ear, play jazz, as well as three of his girlfriends at a time, often to great satisfaction.

As above, doesn't need to state that he is a "pianist," or "keyboardist" to get girls - he performs enough in popular places out of the concert hall for Singapore's young, nubile and ignorant to "get it."

Are a result of pianists with personality, like myself. Minus the gay.

Doesn't need to care if his keyboard is A=440 or A=10000000001 because he's playing a friggin electronic device

Thrives on the fact that Jazz + Funk = Junk, and often makes a good show of it too.

-------------------

disclaimer: the above statements were meant to be stereotypical, exaggerated satirical jokes and are not meant to be taken seriously. No flaming, offense, insults and marginalizations were intended, and I apologise if anyone has taken this to heart

 

[stravinsky]

^^

all i can say.

very very shallow tinking.

 

[nikolaiski]

lighten up man ) it was meant to be a joke..hehe

 

[ATW10C]

lighten up man ) it was meant to be a joke..hehe

"Finished his grade 8 at 8 years of age, LRSM at 12, FRSM at 15, honorary masters at 20"

If the guy has done this, must be a real prodigy to know anything else other than music... your satire didn't work this angle enough

 

[KeDraiv]

...
Often a reclusive, hard-worked teenager and soon to be eccentric adult who has spent much of his youth practicing Hanon, Dohnyanyi (spell?) Clementi, Buona Vista
...

it's DOHNANYI!!!!
right? 0.0
haha

i like his piano quintets, haha

 

[nikolaiski]

"Finished his grade 8 at 8 years of age, LRSM at 12, FRSM at 15, honorary masters at 20"

If the guy has done this, must be a real prodigy to know anything else other than music... your satire didn't work this angle enough

haha..damn i missed that one out but seriously, are all child prodigies really that ill-educated aside from piano? i wouldn't really think so right? i mean, the western ones lah. If china/russia that's a diff. story i guess

 

[chernz]

hmmmmz...
just sharing some views...
from what I see, it really depends on the player themselves.

A pianist can be solo and also can blend in with other instrument player, it depends if the pianist would like to do so. Because can see from players like Ray Charles and friends, they played the piano with the guitars in a band too.. but the thing about piano is that it doesn't have a variety of sounds to get creative with.

Unlike piano, keyboard allows the variety of sounds and also the variations. You are given the choice to choose the type of sounds to blend in with the rest of the instrument or to create certain effects.

 

[cherry_89]

Nikolaiski, u sound like the biggest sour plum. haha.. It's alright that u dun respect classical musicians, cos u nvr knew them --probably ever personally-- since u make them sound so horrible.
Stereotyping them just becos u don like classical music/musicians? It's alright. Your lost.

Btw, this is coming from an accomplished pianist who is OPENED to many genres n enjoys POP, ROCK, FUSION JAZZ.
N I'm not the only one. [do u even know who is Jay Chou? hahaha!]
So listen up, if u r going to slam classical pianist/S, u r not getting any further in music technicality n sensitivity, because believe it or not, music begins from BAROQUE, CLASSICAL PERIOD, day to day POP doesn't appear from thin air.
N sorry, CLASSICAL music is always timeless, n here to stay. =)

 

[centralcatchment]

It's one thing to just shrug off a comment, that makes it harmless.

It's another thing to reinforce a stereotype by opening your big mouth.

 

[KeDraiv]

Nikolaiski, u sound like the biggest sour plum. haha.. It's alright that u dun respect classical musicians, cos u nvr knew them --probably ever personally-- since u make them sound so horrible.
Stereotyping them just becos u don like classical music/musicians? It's alright. Your lost.

Btw, this is coming from an accomplished pianist who is OPENED to many genres n enjoys POP, ROCK, FUSION JAZZ.
N I'm not the only one. [do u even know who is Jay Chou? hahaha!]
So listen up, if u r going to slam classical pianist/S, u r not getting any further in music technicality n sensitivity, because believe it or not, music begins from BAROQUE, CLASSICAL PERIOD, day to day POP doesn't appear from thin air.
N sorry, CLASSICAL music is always timeless, n here to stay. =)

hmms... i think it's quite obvious that the post was meant as a joke,
but still, you don't need to attack him personally right?
what's with the " do u even know who is Jay Chou? hahaha!"?

there isn't a need to assert your status as a pianist to prove your point.
and if i'm not wrong, you're not as accomplished as nikolaiski.

and music DEFINITELY did not begin from BAROQUE, unless you're refering to western classical music, but even so, baroque music has its roots in the renaissance music,
which again can be led to medieval music, so it's quite hard to say where did the music "start"

and the notion of "day to day POP" can already be seen in the romantic period, where composers stopped working for their lords and start catering to the masses, and with the rise of the middle class, more people are able to afford paying to watch the composers play their work.

 

[cherry_89]

The joke isn't funny at all.
It's just an excuse to say that oh, I meant it as a joke, so dun take it seriously, apologise if u r offended.

Pls for goodness sake, it's the same as racial harmony. If u fail to respect the differences between a pianist n keyboardist, y should I respect u?

N u don't have to tell me about music history, which I know.
Don't have to educate me anyway, btw, ur facts r inaccurate.

MEDIEVAL, BAROQUE, ROMANTIC, ETC.. they r all under CLASSICAL MUSIC.

U have no right to judge if I am an accomplished musician or not. The fact is the fact. Don't believe me it's fine.

It's upsetting to know that there r ppl trying to destroy the pianist image, just because we like/ enjoy Classical more. While we continue to happily render our skills/services to a band who doesn't appreciate AT ALL. While being ignorant there r such a "joke" in this forum- to tell the whole world how lousy, weird classical musicians r.
I am not personally attacking Nikolaiski. I am standing up for ALL the pianist here. Some jokes r not meant for joking. They aren't funny.

I shall end here.

 

[KeDraiv]

"The joke isn't funny at all.
It's just an excuse to say that oh, I meant it as a joke, so dun take it seriously, apologise if u r offended. "
that is just an assumption on your part, you are the one who's taking the joke personally, and you are the one who's stating that what nikolaiski said was an excuse.

"Pls for goodness sake, it's the same as racial harmony. If u fail to respect the differences between a pianist n keyboardist, y should I respect u?"
ok, if u want to put it that way fine. but to look things from a different aspect, there isn't a rule or a law that states that joking about something = not respecting that something
imo, what nikolaiski did was to play on the differences between those 2, and mock them. that has nothing to do with respecting the differences between them 2. he can mock them AND still have respect for them.

"N u don't have to tell me about music history, which I know.
Don't have to educate me anyway, btw, ur facts r inaccurate."
i'm not telling you about music history, and i'm not trying to educate you,
i am pointing out that it is incorrect to say that "music begins from baroque"
perhaps, i misunderstood that statement,
but even so, tell me what facts are wrong?


"U have no right to judge if I am an accomplished musician or not. The fact is the fact. Don't believe me it's fine."
look, i'm not here to judge whether or not you're an accomplished musician or not. THAT's not that point, the point i want to put across is that it doesn't matter if you're an accomplished musician for your points to make sense. As you put it " the fact is the fact" if your point makes sense, who the hell cares if you are Glenn Gould or Angela Hewitt?

"It's upsetting to know that there r ppl trying to destroy the pianist image, just because we like/ enjoy Classical more. "
who are the people, are who are "we"?
for everything that happens, that will be a reaction that opposite it,
face it, that's how the world functions.

“While we continue to happily render our skills/services to a band who doesn't appreciate AT ALL. "
well, it's your choice, no one's forcing you.

"While being ignorant there r such a "joke" in this forum- to tell the whole world how lousy, weird classical musicians r. "
if it's being seen as a joke, it would not be a true reflection of what classical pianists are wouldn't it?

"I am not personally attacking Nikolaiski. I am standing up for ALL the pianist here. Some jokes r not meant for joking. They aren't funny."
all i could say is, you're taking a light matter way too seriously.
and don't mind me saying, but by saying "standing up for ALL the pianist here" are you implying that we pianist couldn't stand up on our own?

 

[cherry_89]

Thank u for taking so much time to reply. N ur "education". Seriously I don't need ppl to teach me how to think.

Because u r just not at the receiving end.

Just mind ur own business while I can say what I want. This is a free world.
Democratic country.

Continue to argue if u want since u seem to enjoy it so much.

I have a life. I'm not replying anymore.

 

[l0u5y]

wow.. wassup with this big argument. Chill everyone!

The difference between a keyboardist and a pianist is the same as a fiddler and a violinist. It is basically the style and the way that you play the instrument.

Usually keyboardist implies that the person is able to play all types of keyboard instrument, such as piano, clav, keyboard synthesizers and organ etc. Different keyboard instrument have to be played differently. We cannot use the same technique used in piano playing on the keyboard, basically because it is piano. The feel of the keys are different. The way the keys react is also different. There are more factors as well.

Pianist does not necessary mean the person only plays classical music. We usually address Oscar Peterson as a Jazz Pianist. There are other types of pianist like boogie woogie or blues pianist, rock pianist, etc. For a different genre of music, the technique used to play is also different.