Keyboard playing techniques to emulate other instruments

[@djchetcobra]

I hope some of the beginners and younger people watching this channel will take a moment to appreciate what a privilege it is to have someone to teach you how to get all these sounds. It took me decades of experimenting by myself and picking up a tips one at a time to figure out some of the things Paolo shows in his videos. Now you can learn it all in an afternoon... for free!

[@sulimankhan8322]

sir i want to be a composer so does it mean that i need to learn keyboard with all the sounds to compose music or what zero idea sir.

[@djchetcobra]

@@sulimankhan8322 I don't think you need to learn keyboard to be a composer, but it is a very good instrument for a composer to learn.

[@TayWoode]

@@djchetcobrasadly younger people love to brag they just need to press one key to make a chord and their AI computer does the rest

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

Damn, those string bits sounded really good!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thanks!

[@apathyonastick]

Kurzweil! I have a K2000, K2000RS, and K2500RS

[@MrWkdWilly]

I agree wouldn't mind knowing what that progression was👍

[@BixenteFabregas]

Try to play empty fourth or fifth to emulate some Bartok pieces too...

[@AdityaGuitar1]

Any idea how can I produce such authentic sounding strings in Logic Pro X ?

[@CarlosAvila8246]

This is absolute gold for composers/performers. Understanding the subtle nuances, unique characteristics and limitations of the emulated instruments is what sets apart the men from the boys when it comes to master keyboard playing! Cheers Paolo:))

[@user-vb8fl2se7g]

So true❤

[@santiagoortiz9046]

A master class ... and free. What more can you want. Thanks for that.

[@Ndo01]

This is one of the best music tutorial vids on the internet!

[@EgoShredder]

This is how I thought and played even as a newish musician back in 1990, when I had only been playing properly for months. It's all about having an intuitive feel and approach to music, rather than trying to be precise and technical. This is a really great video by the way! Anyone learning to play would do well to watch and pay special attention to this.

[@victor93532]

Trumpet player: I can play trumpet! Guitar player: I can play guitar! Banjo player: I can play banjo! Keyboard player: Reality can be whatever I want

[@stereoblu]

lmfaooooo

[@RaniLink]

piano player: yes

[@purpleheartscott8553]

Definitely with some practice and ingenuity. The emulations are spot on for some instruments. I have a Roland Juno and it has some very nice sounding instruments on it. Admittedly, I haven’t explored trying to play other instruments on it as I’m a fairly new keyboard player, play guitar and drums recreationally as well. I’m definitely gonna start experimenting with the keyboard though a bit more as the possibilities are crazy. I love love love drums, and I have to admit that I sometimes hear people who play superior drummer vst on their keyboard and put me to shame with my feet and hands. Absolutely killer. It’s all fun though.

[@Toolgdskli]

Mp3 player: hold my fresh milk

[@maxalaintwo3578]

EWI players: you're not the only one cursed with knowledge

[@tiffanygabriel2311]

One thing to keep in mind with strings is that each section may be broken down into subsections, depending on how big the orchestra is. There may be a first violins, second violins, third violins, I've even run across compositions that required four subsections in one section (don't know what it would have sounded like because we couldn't perform it. there was a part in the score for 4th flutes but my small rural high school band only had one flute player). While too much polyphony does lead to a synth pad sound, it would be very possible depending on the size of the orchestra to hear ten note polyphony from the string section.

[@ezzong]

Paolo you're a solo producer/bedroom musician saint. These techniques is incredibly valuable to anybody who wants to make music with limited number of instrument. Grazie mille!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you, sir edzonko

[@andinbriwel1092]

This has been one of my favorite qualities of your playing - that you work hard to emulate the actual playing style of each instrument's sound rather than just using each sound as a piano patch.

[@SteamvilleQuintet]

One of the best how2 music films on the tube! BE the guitar, BE the cello...... Brilliant, thanx!

[@perfektpitch]

Very helpful and effective techniques. I've noticed a lot of keyboard players, in their quest to create authentic-sounding instruments, will focus more on the sound itself than on their playing technique. And as you've demonstrated, playing technique is as important, if not more important, than the sound itself. As a keyboard player myself, I'm always trying to find creative ways to emulate acoustic instruments. Another playing technique to consider when trying to emulate an acoustic guitar is the voicing of chords. For example, when playing an open D chord on the guitar, the order in which the notes are played when strumming down are D, A, D, and F#. And when playing those notes, and in that order, it sounds that much more authentic. At least to me. Again, great video! Thank you.

[@crimsun7186]

For acoustic guitar, is also good to note that the maximum number of notes a regular player can do is equal to the number of strings the guitar has. Choirs tend to have 4-6 voices maximum. For harp, if you're playing a melody, you need to also do the pulling pluck they do, which is louder than the rest of the notes being played. For marimba, it has no sustain and any sustained note has to be done with rolls. But of course, the one that most people tend to do wrong is drums. People will often forget that drummers only have two arms and legs, and sequence stuff that would be impossible for a real drummer to perform.

[@casafilms]

Have you seen Terry Bozzio or Carl Palmer play live? ;-)

[@TallicaMan1986]

CASA Films they cant hit 5 things at once

[@hunterstrokin9195]

@@Gabriel-mw5ro Excellent comment etiquette 10/10

[@williamdavenport4183]

@@TallicaMan1986 they can if they use their head....literally

[@carlthomas3930]

Unless you're Neil Peart

[@OuterTapes]

Thank you very much! As a pure, beginner keyboardist I had real struggle with making instruments sound real no matter how good patches I had (at one point I even borrowed Fantom-G from my friend to mask some of my poor skills). This is really helpful, once again, thank you very much

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Filip, thank you!

[@nezkeys79]

Those patches sound better than most modern keyboards tbh

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

nezkeys79 yeah, because he is using a module with accurately sampled sounds. 😊

[@nezkeys79]

Shan Michael Escasio eh really? He makes out he is using just an old keyboard and patches from the 90s

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

nezkeys79 i think so. Look at that module like thing behind his keyboard. Notice that as he switches from guitar sound to piano sound and vice versa, he fiddles not on the keyboard selection controls but from that box. So yeah, i'm assuming that is indeed a module. If you listen to the piano patch, it's so realistic. I bet that's a roland rd series piano or something.

[@nezkeys79]

Shan Michael Escasio it says kurzweill on it lol

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

nezkeys79 lmao. Sorry man. I'm a near sighted fellow. 😁😂😂 and, i duno much about kurzweils or if they do have a module but yeah, i really do like the sound of his patches. Very rich.?

[@sosnin1]

Really liked the sound of Orchestral Strings at minute 10:55.SUPER !!!

[@djmips]

Very good. I figured this out back when I worked at a music store and was frustrated why the demo discs always sounded so much better than me (same samples). What I would add is that for true guitar sound you have to span the octaves; it's more difficult. What I'm trying to say is that the notes that make up a guitar chord are not always the same as a piano because they are physically limited by how their need to fret on an actual guitar and transition from position to position. Kind of like how you are explaining harp. Thanks for the string knowledge! and the rest. Awesome video.

[@oriomenoni7651]

djmips I agree, spanning the octaves is absolutely crucial.

[@ColleenKitchen]

could you explain to this keyboard player please exactly what you mean by that with an example.

[@absurdengineering]

Colleen Kitchen Easy: play inversions, including long inversions where notes jump an octave up or down past the normal inversion. Say C3maj as E3 C4 G5, or C5 E4 C3+G3, etc.

[@vjrei]

I am so happy because this guy is teaching what I learned back in early 90's from my teachers just like that, same thing. You have to lear how the actual instrument is played and emulate that dynamic.

[@Appleboy78165]

Dude, your videos are so fascinating to watch. I've actually learned quite a bit from this channel!

[@Aardcore]

That is insane; I seriously do not remember Kurzweil's sounding this good. Also, amazing break down of the elements of emulating other instruments via keyboard. I'd honestly been stumped on the guitar playing method for a while but this REALLY helped out alot! Thank you so much!!

[@AltoonaYourPiano]

Pretty neat! Many of those I'd figured out myself from 30+ years of musical experience, but the method of approximating the guitar, saxophone, and bass were much better than anything I'd been doing, so thank you for this!

[@ratinthetub5048]

This is always the kind of video I've been looking for, thank you.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank *you for watching

[@selfai1238]

The strings part makes you want to cry. Thanks for the knowledge. Appreciate it very much.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you

[@installgentoo8561]

6:08 Glory to Arstotzka

[@pliniogoiania]

Is good music. Minister of Interior grants certificate of: "sufficiency." Must be hang on wall immediately. Minister Inspectors may appear to check conformation soon.

[@MrBryan90]

What the hell have I been learning... so much time in the piano roll editor, this is what modern producers NEED! Thank you for this in-depth presentation.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

D. Bryan, thank you very much and yes, learning to play "the old fashioned way" is definitely recommended... nothing wrong with using computers once you know how to play, but the problem I see with many young people skipping the "hard" part of learning how to play, and using the piano roll only, to paint the notes, is that they make serious judgement errors on how to compose music, i.e. painting forty notes in the same chord / time, only using basic major and minor triads, forgoing more complex composition in favor of simple chords but lots of stacking etc. - basically, gimmicks instead of going to search (and research) what the true value and beauty of music is.... I wish you great luck going from the piano roll editor, to the real piano keyboard. Thanks for this comment, I really appreciate it. I think I need to make a video about this.

[@PuzzL_]

Wow a whole day and no dislikes. That says a lot about this community.

[@kyra7891]

"I'm so proud of this community"

[@buraqcarter]

Hi. I've been playing the electric bass for like 9-10 years and recently begun learning the keyboard. Just wanted to say thank you, because your videos are really helpful.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank *you for watching!

[@TheIvoryman]

Great information here. This is my exact approach to emulating acoustic instruments. As a keyboard player, it is imperative to spend time listening to the way each instrument is approached by the individual musician. To emulate acoustic instruments with some level of believability, you must play each instrument in the characteristic way they are normally played. By doing this I have been able to create very rich, more believable instruments and instrumental sections than many keyboard players do.

[@juliosalgado956]

It's rare for me to like digital music, but your guitar at 6:00 made me close my eyes. Congrats dude.

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

RAI TV - Inizio delle trasmissioni:)) Great tips, man! Great tips! That string piece gave me shivers.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Haha :-) thank you, Stefano, such great memories of those times...

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

Definitely! W Topo Gigio!:))) And remember, we're not old... we're vintage, like good wine

[@heikkiwi]

K2500 still sounds great! One of those "I'll never sell" boxes 😎 Great video! Thanks!

[@basspig]

Shame it uses 3x as much electricity as new synths though...

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Wow, that's funny. I just bought the Kurzweil k2500r at a pawn store along with a Yamaha TX-812, Roland JD-990, Korg DSM-1, and a Jupiter 6 that they had sitting in the back collecting dust. I guess you can still find awesome synthesizers at the pawn store! :) Excellent video. I enjoyed it. Take care, Sam.

[@abrahamalbert6042]

My God... It's like a Fairy Tale.... Wish I get something like that...

[@davidbaverstock9923]

Thanks for the video. Very clear and no pretentiousness. I'm a beginner to these things and I'm glad to find someone who can educate easily. Keep up the great work.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidbaverstock9923]

@@SynthManiaDotCom Have you considered doing any more similar type videos? You seem to have a knack for it.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

@@davidbaverstock9923 Thank you, yes, I plan to start another youtube channel that focuses on tutorials / tips / tricks related to playing keyboards / synth / organs etc.

[@whaleguy]

Thanks a lot for this. I learnt a lot of new ways in thinking about keyboard lines after watching this. Those acoustic guitar sections you played in the beginning were great. With a more realistic patch, I doubt anyone could tell the difference just by listening.

[@basspig]

Yamaha Montage really nails realism with guitar.

[@cwel68]

Paolo, always straight down to the core of it ... After consulting your ,everybody wants to rule the world’ video for the chords, I had to look at, how to make my synths sounding like guitars. And once again found inspiration in your well explained tutorial. Thanks a lot! Keep on & keep well! Greetings from France.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you, Christof!

[@timwilderspin]

You're one of my favourite things on You Tube. Your talent and insight is a joy to watch.

[@Grinder-one]

Great video. Also, don't forget that a guitarist will sometimes strum up the strings although usually slight. Rolling back down the keys and through the chord can add even more realism. That string section you played was gorgeous.

[@jdbwz5307]

I came here looking for an answer to a different question, but I stayed for the whole video and learned important things I didn't realize I needed to know. Thank you.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it helped!

[@100clm]

WOW. I just bought a Korg Kronos that has MANY of these sound engines. But I've struggled (until now) with how to get the darn thing to actually SOUND like these instruments. This video did the job. THANK YOU!

[@RIcoRick74]

ho scoperto il tuo canale da pochi giorni, voglio farti i complimenti perché sei veramente molto bravo, i tuoi video sono pieni di spunti interessanti e, per motivi anagrafici, mi fanno fare un tuffo nel passato, grazie :)

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Ricorick, mille grazie a te!

[@Cyberias74]

Excellent lesson! :)) That banjopart made me tap my feet and gave sudden crave of moonshine! :D

[@gvillela77]

Great ideas. This is the important thing to know when you play synths. Thank you for your valued tips.

[@Hagb3rd]

Best, most useful video I've seen in months. Excellente, Signor!!!

[@MrKjDrake]

Love my Kurzweil k25000 Underrated synth that stands the test of time.

[@felineki]

Very nice video. Even for someone like me who can't actually play an instrument but simply does point and click sequencing in a DAW, there was some very useful info here.

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

You are an ace teacher. I'd consider going back to school with teachers like yourself.

[@moottori_paa]

Thank you sir! I have learned so much your videos. Very enjoyable too. You really know your machines and music. Allways waiting for new video be released :)

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank *you so much for watching!

[@rushmanphotos]

you hit the nail on the head bro. the problem i experience is that this requires a keyboardist to do their homework and learn a little something about the instrument they are trying to emulate. i know some very accomplished pianists that won't play organ because it requires them to become proficient with organ playing techniques. it's frustrating.

[@gullyfoyle6354]

Fantastic vid, Paolo! You nailed it again with this complete tutorial, we always learn new things from you, even being an old fox like me ;) Grazie Maestro. Your channel is still in my personnal top, together with Sensei Ujie. :))

[@dinkarshirke6125]

This is what I actually was searching for ; thanx a lot !

[@DrGargani]

ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!!! thank you......like others said, what today's education should be for keyboard players....breaking it down just wonderfully....I tell people it is the hobby WITHIN the hobby learning how to emulate the nuances of other instruments.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you very much

[@Clo2393]

Wowww thanks for the tips! Always wanted to compose with as many instruments as possible in spite of my tiny apartment. This is gold. Thank u!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mvoproject]

O, lord! That orchestra strings!!!! .......... SO CHILLING MY BACK!!Great video! I always thought about that my guitar chords just doesn`t sound like an actual guitar)) Because I played like a keyboardist)) Now I found the answer. I think any keyboardist should know that even drums just can`t produce hundreds sounds in one time if we want to make sounds these drums like a real.

[@ikreate4u]

You are Amazing!! Thanks so much for this. Been struggling with getting authentic sounds and so far you are the only one that illustrates it so clearly. I'm using an old Casio so I know the native sounds are lacking authenticity but I am hoping my DAW's midi instrument sounds will help round it up.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you very much, glad if I can help

[@melwinwillsw2836]

I'm playing keyboard for along 4 years till I don't such things bro... thanks for your awesome information...

[@thiloschroeder9877]

Great tutorial! There are a lot of awesome tips in there. What you should also keep in mind is the note range that the individual instruments have.

[@Sabalon]

Saw David Sancious playing woodwind parts with a breath controller on Stings Soul Cages tour, which always amazed me that he had to know how both instruments worked and were played. Or Jens Johansson from Yngwie, whose keyboard solos I thought were guitar solor through an equalizer. Amazing job!!! Love your videos!

[@MrJuicyHamburger]

I own the K2000, it is great; the acoustic sounds are great for it's time.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Yep. I bought the K2000 when it came out, it was and still is an amazing synth

[@AlexanderRoca]

Why was, he still excellent !

[@the80386]

not just for it's time, but these are very usable sounds forever

[@digitalcat303]

Ever since I tried the K2000 in the music store when it came out, I've been dreaming of owning a Kurzweil. Bought a PC3 a few years ago. Best hardware synth I've ever played. I have tons of VSTs, but still turn to the PC3 for orchestral, electric pianos, and organ sounds.

[@sasha42196]

This looks like a K2500R though...

[@egiff100]

Wow! Awesome video man! This little bit of info is gold! Thanks!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lucasshije9249]

Top video 2019! ..... How did I just find this? Awesome video, thank you so much.

[@Kaniela6759]

Why would A.N.Y.B.O.D.Y. dislike this?! It’s beautiful!

[@L77kim77l]

Lovely, very kind of you! You do this in such a nice and motivating way, thank you :)

[@MONKIEDUO]

New inspiration every new single video 매번 유익한 영상 고맙습니다!

[@djgeorgieporgie7862]

Simply Gold. Great tutorial brother 👍

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

Love the channel man! Keep it up.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thanks!

[@EqDior]

Very nice tutorial. This is something that i have figured out over the years as well. Its very important to learn some what playing style of an organic instrument!

[@autobotsNdecepticons]

Very nice. Surprising how well some of those sounds have held up.

[@vividtreks]

Phenomenal! Thank you so much for the guidance.

[@acialist]

*Banjo:* me- "It will sound terrible" *Two seconds later"* :0

[@mortenandre8288]

:0

[@facundovaz2439]

:0

[@FocusMrbjarke]

0:

[@antiRuka]

:O

[@helpmefortheloveofshrek6623]

:0

[@dorotheemackenbach4808]

Wow! What great sounds! Really realistic. Thank you for sharing,

[@TimVolkovPhD]

The strings sent shivers down my spine.

[@Roensmusic]

2:00 wow you just opened my eyes on that clavinet keyboard sound / plucked guitar

[@DavidBoura]

As usual, so much thanks to share your unvaluable knowledge :)

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

David, Thank *you for watching!

[@CDash162]

I just came upon this video as I was looking for a new keyboard. You're very talented. New subscriber here (-:

[@rb8058]

This was awesome. We need more of this kind of instruction on YT. Subscribed.

[@less3117]

Very good video.i have been trying out flute, sax and strings on my keyboards and have been impressed with the quality of the voices. I'm now encouraged to experiment further.

[@ZackWebsite]

THIS WAS SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL

[@SAMUELVISCOSI]

I love that V chord at around 2 minutes, sounds so open and mystifying.

[@GilbertoStrapazon]

Very good! Thanks for that. In basic, people must go after the real instrument, there are a lot of videos too, and observe how many notes can happen and how that is played.

[@wolfgang4468]

Hats off to your skills! Fantastic that you share these hard earned techniques, thank you!

[@take942]

Excellent tutorial! I will be practicing these techniques. Thank you

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LouisSerieusement]

This was really an awesome tutorial ! Truly helpful on those modern times were we forgot all of this simple technics ! Today it's more easy to find a tutorial concerning soundesign or computer technics than simple but awesome tips like you gave us ; Thank you so much !!! Cheers from france :) Louis

[@4rpita]

This video just made me fall more in love with my keyboard

[@eddievhfan1984]

Very good video! Also, more as a processing trick than anything else, but if you''re gonna simulate an acoustic guitar via sample playback, using a multiband compressor will help blend the notes together and sound like they came from the same instrument. A standard compressor will help, but a multi-band will help simulate the resonances of the different tone woods/parts.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you! I believe that patch has compression from the built-in Digitech fx chip, and I think exciter as well, I'd need to check in the edit mode.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

I'm wrong - that acoustic guitar patch has exciter, chorus and reverb- this is what it has (from the manual): Steel Str Guitar (103 EnhcChorCDR Hall) hall rvb lvl enhcr EQ bass mix enhcr EQ treble mix enhcr hi gain aux chamber rvb lvl chor lvl toggle: enhcr/CDR chor, hall/chamber rvb

[@eddievhfan1984]

I see. In a way, a enhancer can do a similar job, but I just think multiband compression better simulates the peak limiting that the resonant body provides. I mean, it's essentially how "Acoustic simulator" guitar pedals function, usually.

[@alandakerharley]

Guitars DO NOT have a sustain pedal.

[@eddievhfan1984]

Actually, they do. It's the fretting hand. ;P

[@davcar23]

A good part of emulating other instruments is good programming, for example add some fretboard noise to be triggered on release on the lower notes, much better if your synth allows it to be played randomly. Here's a good tip for strumming emulation: Set up a split on the keyboard on middle C with a 12 string guitar programs on the upper and lower parts; make sure both parts sound in the same pitch, meaning you will hear the same note played even though they're played octaves apart. Now play the same chord with both hands alternating left and right and put some variation in the alternating motion. Might feel weird but if you practice enough it will sound very well in a full band.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

This is great stuff to hear and I'll sure be using your advice in the future!

[@christiansanden8005]

Awesome sounds and playing, thanks!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Christian, thank *you very much for watching!

[@christiansanden8005]

SynthMania You are welcome

[@christiansanden8005]

SynthMania You are welcome

[@christiansanden8005]

SynthMania You are welcome

[@amodiogiordano4516]

You're the best! Great video. Thank you!

[@wendywaldes8985]

Having used a K2000, one of the nice things about it is that Kurzweil would mute any tones that were not in the normal range of the instrument it was emulating. It seemed inconvenient at times, but it forced you to be authentic. If you get the chance, look up the Korg Kronos, and see what they are doing to make sounds that are as true to life as you can get, and also the Roli Seaboard, which goes further with realism having five ways to mimic stringed instruments, including any instruments that "slide" between notes. It does vibrato, multi- note pitch bends, in opposite directions if desired, down pressure and release pressure, and forward slides to change dynamics or other modulation. It also works as a standard keyboard, but it really blew my socks off when I tried one.

[@9musesproduction574]

Thank you so much for this video! That's so helpful, you literally opened an door in my mind!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@casadasmelodias3379]

Best tutorial, almost all in one

[@guitarofdestiny]

very cool man, never thought about playing this way. also noticed it helps to stay in the instruments' natural range. haha

[@tiergrinder]

Superb tutorial! Golden!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@SlashZooka]

this is absolutely FANTASTIC! :D I thank you for the video ^-^

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you

[@amaverick7469]

Very good! Enjoyed this video.

[@ransmomebloke1949]

This video is amazing.With Your skills you'll always be working as a musician.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Excellent demo and well explained . Wish i had your playing skills .

[@t.diddle7998]

This is a really amazing tutorial. Seriously, thanks. It's inspiring.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@YHVH]

You're so cool - Hans Zimmer, every time I hear the marimba I hear this tune

[@TheZombo66]

this was very interesting video your techniques I have learned some before but more in this one thank for showing us all excellent maestro cheers!!!!