We are talking here about the 80’s – really really bad sounds of synth or something that pretends to be a piano, a violin or an accordion, nothing further away from the pure piano and guitar sound I’ve been used to. I was not expecting anything out of this small make-believe toy, yet the minute my friend pressed the start key and asked me to play a chord, my moth went wide open and didn’t close until 3 years later when I finally convinced my parents to get me one. I know, it sounds weird, allow me to explain.
At that same moment, when the keyboard started all my musical imaginations came through. Here I am pressing only one chord with my left hand, no sophisticated arpeggios, no hand pains and a full-size virtual band is playing with me. I could control the tempo, the instruments, the genre. Who ever heard of reggae or Celtic jigs before, big bands, 5/4 and so many more. I would have never been able to play those styles on my piano with the skills I had. I was immediately exposed to so many different musical genres and was able to play all of them right away, I found an accompaniment to any song I wanted. I could safely say Casio, Kawai, Roland, Yamaha and later on Ketron arranger keyboards were my best music teachers. I became better, some say even good at piano, band leading, composing, producing. In no time, there was no musical genre too challenging.
I see why some people say playing this kind of arranger is a compromise. It could sometimes sound artificial, if you are not experienced it could be repetitive but it is the other way around. Not only is it not a compromise, those keyboards allow you to grow, understand music and learn about the place of every instrument in the band. How to work different time measures not to mention music production.
Years pass by… I become a successful band leader, play thousands of events of all types, and I learn that it is most likely to find keyboardists in the front. Whether it’s music production, arrangements, composing, conducting, recording, etc. there is always someone with a strong keyboard background. I believe one of the reasons is the lack of exposure of most music students to a wide selection of musical genres.
The thing that sparks your imagination, that allows you to fly, to dare and try, is not present enough when learning other instruments. Focusing on finding your sound and perfect your technique will make you play better but would it make you a better musician?
