Episode 448: The Keyboard Player Episode: Gear, Parts, Patches & Playing Nice With Guitarists

A listener in Scotland asked us for an episode about keyboard players. There was only one problem: this is a podcast hosted by two guitar players. So rather than confidently making things up for an hour, we called in Brandon Patrick of The Flannel Pajamas, a ’90s-ish cover band based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Brandon came to keyboards later in life after years as a vocalist, which gives him an interesting perspective on what it actually takes to become a functional, gigging keyboard player—not a concert pianist, not a synth wizard living inside a modular rig, but somebody who needs to learn songs, build useful tones, fit inside a band, and make it through the gig. We get into how keyboard players learn songs, sheet music versus ear training, using lead sheets and the Nashville Number System, and why playing rock and pop keys is a very different skill from being a classically trained pianist. Then we head directly into the gear rabbit hole. Brandon talks about his Yamaha YC, onboard sounds versus software instruments, organ and Leslie tones, patch building, why redundancy matters if you’re relying on a computer, and why the keyboard you buy should be determined by the music you actually intend to play. We also tackle the eternal question: 61, 73, or 88 keys? Along the way, Adam and Dan attempt to explain guitars to a keyboard player, discover that a guitar is apparently six strangely tuned keyboards strapped together, and establish the definitive tonal taxonomy: A Strat goes quack. A Tele goes twang. A Les Paul goes chunk. And an SG starts an argument. If you play keys, want to play keys, lead a band with a keyboard player, or have spent years wondering what the person behind that giant red Nord is actually doing, this one’s for you. Featuring Brandon Patrick of The Flannel Pajamas. Find @theflannelpajamas on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and catch them live around the Dallas–Fort Worth area! Sweetwater Affilate Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/xJE4rk   BACTrack Affiliate Link: https://www.bactrack.com/coverbandconfidential   **MaestroDMX** (10% off discount link): https://maestrodmx.com/discount/DISCOUNT4CBC?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fmaestrodmx Blank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contracts Backing Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resources Thank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!   BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links   And for more info check out  www.coverbandconfidential.com