Best keyboard player?

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Actually he paved the way for such perfomers like Elton John, Freddie Murcury (RIP), and Peter Allen (RIP).

[Hammie]

Hiromi Uehara

[Crimson King]

A few oldies but goodies, Burton Cummings, Leon Russell and Dr. John.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

We should all get into a subjective/objective discussion about this.

Question: What is the difference between playing a keyboard and playing a piano? Is a keyboard considered a synth?

I love semantics questions! In my book, as long as ivories are being tickled, they can be considered a "keyboard player" and therefore fully qualified as a contender for the title of best keyboard player. You can apply this to anyone who plays a piano as well, as they could inherently also play a keyboard, although their use of synthetic effects may be limited when compared to a keyboard master. It's a bit of give and take really.

From a layout and "can one play the other?" standpoint, a keyboard is generally refered to as a type of synthesizer, and the converse is also true to an extent; although "synthesizer" does not necessarily equal "keyboard" as there are synthesizers without keys whose purpose is just to add effects to a particular instrument (or in some cases is simply a machine that only plays pre-recorded synthetic sounds that may or may not be able to be modulated).

Basically, a keyboard is generally considered part of the synthesizer family because its very nature is it plays digital, recorded sounds at the press of a button; but a synthesizer isn't always a keyboard. Like: a bass guitar is a type of guitar, but a guitar isn't necessarily a bass.

...so I'd have to say "yes, a keyboard is considered a synth."

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Actually he paved the way for such perfomers like Elton John, Freddie Murcury (RIP), and Peter Allen (RIP).

Let's just say I'm glad I Google image seached "Liberaci" today. Try it and you'll be pleasantly rewarded (if you like boobs).

[Show spoiler]yes I know that's the wrong spelling

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Keith Emerson hands down, he's done it all: plays pretty much every kinda keyboard known to man, greap musical chops, great showman (played on a suspened piano spinning around, would do all kinds of abuse to his keyboards (kicking,shaking,hitting with drumsticks and even stabbing them w/knives!), but the most amazing thing I've seen him do is take a keyboard and play classical pieces backwards! There is a Youtube video of the Atlantic 40th Anniversary where he does some of this incredible backwards playing on the tune "America", Carl Palmer plays an incredible drum solo as well, they were billed as "Emerson and Palmer", Lake did not show that night. I've got all the Nice and ELP CD's in my personal collection! Rick Wakeman is a close 2nd.

Agree on both. Seeing ELP back in the day was one of the Highlights of my concert experiences. Carl Palmer is/was perhaps the top 5 drummers of all time as well. Wakeman's work is spell binding in his ability to paint stories with his music.

[PH3AR]

kristen randall, the Winds of Plague keyboardist!

[Sagacious Koreo]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Hiromi Uehara

Ooo, good one. She's an amazing musician and she's cute. Lover her music.

That being said. That reminded me to add:

Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

We should all get into a subjective/objective discussion about this.

Question: What is the difference between playing a keyboard and playing a piano? Is a keyboard considered a synth?

This thread is for ant type of keyboard instument -Piano, organ, synthesiser, harpsichord, mellotron, accordion, etc.

[mikejet]

David Helfgott

[Crimson King]

Some great female ivory ticklers, Carole King, Carly Simon, and Diana Krall.

[Teabaggins]

forget the boring keyboard....who really rocks out on the KEYTAR?!?!?!?!

[brettallica]

Teabag, you're late to the keytar party, son! I already brought up Jordan Rudess, the baddest keytarist on the planet.