Help - role of keyboards in blues band

[drumsolo86]

Hi there, I couldn't find a thread on this so I decided to make a new one. In a 4 piece blues band, where there is bass drums guitar and keys. I wanted to know how would a keyboardist play with respect to soloing, as well as keeping up with the band during the verses. What phrasing should be used?

I'll like to clarify that I'm not really a keyboardist but I'm asking for a friend. I understand that a knowledge of the blues scales is needed, something about 1 4 5. Though I'm not quite sure what is referred to by that.

Also, is playing chords a safe way to go?

I also realise there is a lot of aggressive, repeated notes playing in most of the keyboard player in blues band.

And yes, listening to plenty of music is a suggestion that has currently been undertaken if any plans to suggest.

 

[drumsolo86]

Could some keyboard pros enlighten me on this? Or no one plays the blues?

 

[drumsolo86]

3 days in SOFT, and not 1 single keyboardist reply. I dont mean to sound offensive, so no keyboardist plays the blues or can play the blues?

 

[pf]

Hi, I don't really know much but this is what I can suggest.

In blues playing, the keyboardists can do comping (play chords in a rhythmic manner i.e. similar to guitar/drums) when playing together with other instruments and play an improvised melody with the blue scale of the key and/or licks when soloing (constructed from the blues scales and can be repeated notes). Your friend can google for some blues licks online.

For some inspiration, your friend might want to watch videos of blues band such as Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen at http://www.joncleary.com/av/index.htm

This band is led by the keyboardist/lead vocal. He's very good.

 

[noelG]

i'm not a keyboardist but I think pf has pretty much sums it up...What i gonna reply below is from the perspective of a guitarist.

the 1 4 5 you mention is the 12 bar blues chord progression, which keeps on looping in a blues song over 3 chords. A keyboardist could play chord comping, shuffle rhythm, licks or improvise over major, minor pentatonic scale. When to play what is a matter of what would fit with the band.

During verse, the keyboardist could adopt the call and response technique. Play chords or shuffle over the two bars the singer is singing, then play a lick over the next two. To solo, the keyboardist could start off with simple licks over the major/minor pentatonic scale.

well the best way to get inspirations is from the Chicago blues masters:

Pinetop Perkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoGow0XukU&feature=related

Otis Spann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7NxY3uMpSc

Memphis Slim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_H-1J4xWs

 

[drumsolo86]

Thanks pf and noel, very helpful! Thanks.. seems like no keyboards plays the blues nowadays. I'm quite a big fan of Chris Stainton nowadays!