how to play keyboard | The Musicians blog

Basic Music Theory

Hey fellow musicians… Ron Greene here,

There are a lot of decent basic music theory books, tapes etc. on the market these days, and many of them provide good technical content. However, most of the information in them seems to lack specific details that otherwise, really never get you to the point of playing your instrument.

For example, this free music theory publication does a good job of explaining Key Signatures and the history of music, yet, this subject might not interest you as much as getting your instrument out and actually getting down to the matter at hand… playing it! Continue reading Basic Music Theory →

Gregg Allman Died May 27, 2017

According to Gregg Allman’s website… “Allman was born December 8th, 1947 in Nashville, TN, a little more than a year after his older brother Duane. Raised by single mom Geraldine, the family moved to Daytona Beach in 1959, though the brothers would spend considerable time back in Nashville.

Music City (Nashville) was an inspiration to Allman… He attended his first concert – starring Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, B.B. King, and Patti LaBelle – and with the guidance of a neighbor named Jimmy Banes, fell in thrall to the power of a guitar. Nashville’s pull continued long after the family moved, with the brothers both hooked on local radio station WLAC’s legendary late night R&B broadcasts.”

Many of us have played numerous Allman Brother songs at band practice and on stage… Gregg’s talent with his vocals, the keys and guitar have provided tunes that have inspired many musicians and fans!… RIP Gregg!

Jam On!
-Ron

(via: Gregg Allman .com)

“Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.”

… More Reading Here…
https://www.greggallman.com/with-deep-sadness-we-announce-the-passing-of-gregg-allman/

Ozzy Osbourne and Earth, Wind, & Fire?…

According to societyofrock.com (as of the date of this blog post) this video is… “Probably The Best Mashup We’ve Ever Seen!”

Well, ok… I’m not a big ‘mashup’ fan, but I’ll have to admit the timing reference the tempo on this DJ’s version of a Ozzy Osbourne being mashed up with Earth, Wind, & Fire… is quite entertaining.

I mean, mixing light metal with pop and pulling it off with a sense of continuity is a decent feat for sure.

Anyway… see what you think…

Jam On!
– Ron

As further quoted…
“Both are truly amazing musical acts, but they couldn’t be anymore different in their music styles. Then again, as they say, opposites attract, and that much is proven, here!”

More here…
https://societyofrock.com/someone-made-a-mashup-of-ozzy-osbourne-and-earth-wind-fire-and-we-cant-stop-laughing/

Frosty, drummer for Lee Michaels passes…

71 seems to be a popular number this 2017 year for departed musicians…

Now, another powerful musician, drummer… Bartholomew Eugene Smith-Frost, aka: Frosty has moved on to the next musical dimension on April 12, 2017.

Ever since the day my face was melting after hearing Lee Michaels and Frosty play a small venue in Southern California in the late 60s, my appreciation for Frosty had never faded.

Be sure to treat yourself to some of the earlier work of Frosty and Lee (videos)… and of course, many of Frosty’s Austin bands.

Jam On!
-Ron

Frosty with Lee Michaels

(credit given Peter Blackstock via Austin 360 .com)

Born March 20, 1946, in Bellingham, Wash., Smith was raised in the Bay Area and also worked extensively in Los Angeles before relocating to Austin. He played on many of Austin’s biggest rock, country and blues records of the 1980s and ’90s, for artists including Alejandro Escovedo, Junior Brown, Roky Erickson, Butch Hancock, Marcia Ball, Tex Thomas, Doug Sahm & the Texas Mavericks, Toni Price, Guy Forsyth and Omar & the Howlers, among dozens of others…

Deep Purple Continues to Rock!…

Since its inception in 1968, Deep Purple (the band of course) continues to this day with ‘3’ core original members, inclusive of… Ian Paice on traps, Ian Gillin on vocals, and Roger Glover on Bass. And as of 1994 the wonderful ax-man, Steve Morse, joined the group. Ron Airey has picked up the keyboard duties hence the departure of previous keys man, Jon Lord.

In April (2017) Deep Purple has a brand new album titled Infinite coming out, and they will be touring shortly thereafter, what they’re dubbing, their Long Goodbye Tour.

This video spends some time with Ian Paice and Roger Glover and they further discuss the history of DP and their new projects… and, what could be their last road gig!

Jam On!
-Ron

(video and article via: Society Of Rock .com)

“There’s going to be a day in the not-so-far future when it is going to be ‘the last.’ That’s an emotional strain that I don’t think any one of us are brave enough to say ‘This is the date.’ But we are thinking… not thinking, we are realizing that time is creeping up every day that goes on, those numbers mount up. It’s inevitable…”

Read the rest of the article here –>
societyofrock.com/ian-paice-and-roger-glover-reveal-deep-purple-are-terrified-of-the-future-heres-why/

Keith Emerson of, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Died…

For those among us musicians that loves the keyboard player in the band… I for one, have always appreciated the great sound and jams that, Emerson, Lake and Palmer laid-down. Unfortunately, Keith has passed… yet, he has left us with a great legacy for our reference of his wonderful keyboard rock style.

As noted on ELP’s Wiki, regarding Keith… “Keith Emerson was the co-founder of one of the most popular and commercially successful progressive rock bands in the 1970s!… ”

“Their musical sound included adaptations of classical music with jazz and symphonic rock elements and was dominated by Emerson’s flamboyant use of the Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, and piano.”

Let the Keyboard player in the band live forever!
Jam On!
-Ron

Michael Putland, Getty Images

(By Nick DeRiso – via UltimateClassicRock.com)
As this article notes: “Keith Emerson, the outsized co-founding keyboardist in Emerson Lake and Palmer has died. Long-time bandmate Carl Palmer said he passed last night (March 10) in Santa Monica, Calif. ELP later confirmed the news. No cause of death has been mentioned; Emerson was 71.”

“Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come,” Palmer said. “He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.”

Learn and read more about Keith’s death, here ->
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/keith-emerson-dies/

The greatest synthesizers…

Keyboards come in many flavors. Since the introduction of the synthesizer, the development of interesting sound waves hasn’t stopped. Herein this article you’ll discover some of the most intriguing synths manufactured. Come discover some of the top best synths…
Jam On!
-Ron

(Scot Solida via MusicRadar.com)

These synths made a historical impact, changing the way future instruments would be designed and, most importantly, inspiring the musicians who played them.

Read more on the top 10 synthesizers…
https://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/the-10-greatest-synthesizers-of-all-time-224433

10 Commandments of Jam…

Jamming in a band takes on a whole new set of rules and dynamics. When we as musicians blend our abilities, it takes some additional attention to details to create the best jam possible. In this article you might find interest in Derek Trucks’ insightful take on the 10 Commandments of Jam.
Jam On!
-Ron

In 2004, Alan Paul interviewed Derek and wrote up his 10 Commandments of Jam for Guitar World… Pretty right on and deep thinking, as per usual for DT…

Read the complete ’10’ list here:
https://alanpaul.net/2015/04/derek-trucks-10-commandments-of-jam/

Grammy Award Winner Stevie Wonder…

25-time Grammy award winner, Stevie Wonder is scheduled to air on Feb 16, 2015. Whether you’re a Stevie fan or not, you’d have to consider the millage that he has retained over the many years of making music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) states that the show will feature some of the biggest names in the music industry. Might be worth the viewing when released…
Jam On!
-Ron

Remember back then?…

( by Dale Davidson via-guardian living voice)

The organizers of the show to be held following the Grammy awards celebration, where Stevie Wonder is honored with an all-star tribute, continues in the same vein as last year’s show, which was held to honor the Beatles. The concerts may become an annual event, as the Beatles: The Night That Changed America , celebrated the 50th anniversary of the appearance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show…Read more at…
https://guardianlv.com/2014/12/stevie-wonder-honored-with-tribute-after-grammy-awards-show/#Cgi044GCkROzumxM.99

The launch of SXSW and it’s flashback years…

SXSW

South by South West moves forward this year beginning this week. Lots of fanfare and lots of music and music related elements for sure. I found a great way to keep-up with all the doings @ SXSW this year, without dealing with travel, accommodations and the crowds… aka, Surviving SXSW

Jam On!
-Ron

(by: entrepreneur.com)
Entrepreneur is on the ground in Austin for SXSW 2014. Feel as if you’re there with us as we share the latest innovations and give you a sneak peek at the launches and ideas that will change how you connect to your world…

Keep up with all the doings @ SXSW here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/topic/sxsw