Kyle Boreing
Mar 02, 2009
Observations
Roger Bennett on SG piano/bass combo
I found this on YouTube as part of a video on southern gospel piano playing (I’m not sure of the original source, so if anyone has this video or is familiar with it, feel free to post the name of it). It’s an interesting lesson in what I call the “SG piano/bass combo.” In it, Roger Bennett (with help from Scott Fowler) explains the oddity of playing piano with a bass player.
This is quite an enlightening clip, especially for those who think that to play in a group that relies so heavily on piano, one must have amazing keyboard skills. As Roger demonstrates, for much of the song, he is doing nothing but playing off-beat chords. That’s not to take away from Roger’s abilities – he states himself that he used to get frustrated trying to get accustomed to such playing habits.
I’ll admit, I have a hard enough time playing chords with my left hand, let alone playing a straight rhythm pattern on the offbeats with it. I never had any formal training, though, so perhaps I’m lacking in an area that most pianists are completely comfortable; that, and I’ve never yet had to play with a bass player!!
