Unit 21 Task 1b - Piano / keyboard techniques
Consuelo Velazquez was a Mexican concert pianist and composer who wrote the bolero classic "Besame Mucho". Her playing techniques involved: • glissando • piano roll • shifted accents • syncopated clave rhythms • accent on melody • Shearing chords • Undulating melodic movement • Variation in tempo and • Dramatic use of dynamic range
Consuelo Velascuez: Albums • Invitation to Romance • Exitos 1954 • Piano Interpretations • Reminiscencias Singles • Melodias Al Piano • Exitos 1954 | Besame Mucho
Ruben Gonzales of “Buena Vista Social Club” fame was one of the most famous exponents of Bossa Nova style playing. His playing techniques involved; left hand (LH) • bass line recurring figure • based on 1 and 5 of the chord • walking bass style • LH anticipates chord changes appearing in right hand (RH) providing tension and release in the music right hand (RH) • different rhythm from LH bass • coordination between hands playing two different rhythms together • both parts need to be solid individually before playing both hands together both hands together • playing the two parts together creates an interlocking effect in rhythm giving dense texture • keeping to a precise and steady rhythm
Rueben Gonzales: Discography:• Rubén González (Areito, 1975) • Introducing...Rubén González (World Circuit, 1997) • Chanchullo (World Circuit, 2000) | Extract from "Buena Vista Social Club"
Fats Domino was one of the great early Rock and Roll artists who mastered the shuffle style triplet feel rhythm as shown in the video of "Blueberry Hill" below. His playing techniques involved; • Left Hand walking bass • Locked in to the beat • Steady driving rhythm avoiding swing • Triplet feel right hand • Right hand chords keeping the beat
Fats Domino: Discography: • Rock and Rollin' with Fats Domino (1956) • Fats Domino Rock and Rollin' (1956) • This Is Fats Domino! (1956) • Here Stands Fats Domino (1957) • This Is Fats (1957) • Alive and Kickin' (2006) | Blueberry Hill
Tyrone Downie was one of the most famous reggae keyboard players who was a member of "Bob Marley and the Wailers". He also played with Black Uhuru, Ian Drury, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse and many others. His playing techniques involved; • Bubble technique • Drop technique • Coordination - both hands playing separate rhythms • playing and releasing each chord quickly in a synchronized way • playing melody at same time as rhythm • stressing the melodic line when playing • emphasising tune over accompaniment whilst playing the 2 different rhythmic styles together • driving rhythm played with energy
Tyrone Downie: Discography: . Tribute to Slim Smith, Black-Man’s World, Steph's Dub | Concrete Jungle