Piano is the True Test of a Song

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Patrick
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Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by Patrick » Tue Jun 18, 2019 6:35 pm

This is just my opinion of course.

But you can't bend the notes, distort or overkill on the piano. It's pretty bare bones, and to me if your tune passes the sound test on the 88 keys...then you're on to something.

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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by Russell Landwehr » Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:55 pm

Hmmmm....

As a keyboard player I expressed to my guitarist how much more expressive the guitar is...

And I wonder how hip hop or EDM would translate to piano

However, you may have a point here in regards to normal songs.
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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by gregorym » Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:56 pm

By true test of a song, does that mean if it works on the piano, it's good on every other instrument? I can see that, for the reasons you mention. Guitar can bend, slide and use effect, etc. Interesting topic.

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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by ricschmitz » Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:26 pm

Hello everyone ,

You can voice a piano just like an orchestra . Pressing the keys at the right time won't cut it . Of course I'm talking about good, grand / concert grand pianos , Steinways, Bossendorfers and such.
Songs with guitar accompaniment or piano are two different styles, guitar usually works both ways. Just check Paul McCartney's songs with either instrument. "Black bird" won't work with piano , "lady Madonna" is better with piano, but could also be done on guitar. Maybe the exception would be " The long and winding road" that in my Humble opinion , belongs only to the piano.

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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by Patrick » Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:41 pm

Interesting replies...

I can only pen lyrics while playing the guitar. I've come up with several little piano pieces, but can't for the life of me write lyrics on that instrument.

I use the sustain piano pedal all of the time so there is that bit of modification. But I still believe there is nowhere to hide on the piano...it will expose your weakness of song in a heartbeat.
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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by melodymessiah » Thu Jun 20, 2019 2:55 am

this might be true when it comes to timeless classics, but how many of todays hits do you think would sound great on piano only? take a song like "bad guy" with billie eilish, being nr. 2 at the billboard at the moment and play the lead vocal part on piano ;)

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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by mojobone » Mon Jul 01, 2019 5:40 pm

It's an interesting perspective, but are we certain that having ten notes available simultaneously and laid out sequentially isn't a disadvantage for songwriters? Yes, an electric guitar can be made to sustain as well as a string or brass instrument and lines can be as fluid, yet fingerstyle guitar can be as contrapuntal as JS Bach or Scott Joplin, for that matter. Also, it's a bit more portable, so I'm happy with the tradeoff.
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Re: Piano is the True Test of a Song

Post by Len911 » Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:28 pm

and I thought it was the humability test all this time :lol:

actually the true test of a song probably has more to do with the ability to recall it and familiarity, and because much of that has to do with rhythm as anything else, hmm, any percussive instrument like a piano or drum, might be the best choice :lol:

sustain? as long as the rhythm is maintained.

imo rhythm is the most important variable, I mean, the thing about a monotone voice being so boring isn't about the one tone so much as it is about the boring mono rhythm.

Rhythm rules ;)
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