Basic Equipment
Pianos
Pianos are very expensive to buy new, although if you can afford one, this is always the safest option because new pianos usually have a long guarantee period. If you are looking at a second hand piano, it is always best to get it checked out by a professional piano tuner before you buy it. Any warping, cracks or internal damage will make it impossible to keep the piano in tune.
Electronic Keyboards
There are many electronic keyboards and synthesizers on the market which have a reasonable approximation of a piano sound. Although none of them sound exactly like an acoustic piano, they are much more practical in a band situation because they are portable. Most keyboards also have other useful sounds such as organ, rhodes, electric piano, and clavinet. Electronic keyboards are generally much cheaper to buy than a good quality piano and are more versatile for live playing.
Amplification
When playing with a band, it is often difficult to hear an acoustic piano without amplification. There are microphones such as PZM’s which are particularly good for picking up the sound of a piano. The microphone can then be put through a PA system in a similar way to a vocal microphone.
When using an electronic keyboard, it is much more common to plug it into an amplifier. Bass or guitar amplifiers can be used for keyboards, but it is usually better to use an amp specially designed for keyboards if you can. Like keyboards, amplifiers vary in price. If you are uncertain, it is always better to consult a professional before deciding what to buy.
Effects
If you are using an electronic keyboard, it is possible to buy a sustain pedal which works in a similar way to the damper pedal on a piano. This can be valuable in some situations, such as playing a slow Blues or a Rock ballad. There are also a variety of other pedals which can be used to create various effects.
Some of these include the volume pedal, chorus, and wah wah. Effects can sound great when used in the right place, but they can also detract from the music if they are over used. If you can manage to find a Hammond organ with a Leslie speaker, you’ll never need any other effects, as this combination suits most Rock music perfectly.
