From simon@alphabeck.co.uk Wed Nov 08 01:30:46 2006
Subject:OT - Playing as a duo...

Just wondering - if you were to perform as (half!) a duo, what other instrument would be your choice (assuming you were playing keyboard/organ)? Personally I have an aversion to working with just a drummer. I guess it's a cultural thing - I associate it with British "Working Men's Clubs" and two elderly musicians playing lame versions of golden oldies before the comedian comes on...

My preference is a really good bass player. That way I can concentrate on left-hand harmonies and chords rather than trying to keep the sonic density going with my right hand and playing bass with my left (I don't play pedals). I find that even when I'm playing boogie-woogie piano a drummer tends to get in the way and slow down the flow of the music. Add a bass player instead and the thing suddenly takes off.

I've also had good results with guitarists and (most recently) a harmonica player. We've worked out a killer arrangement of "Tuxedo Junction" for piano and harmonica which stops the show at our local acoustic jam every time.

Simon Beck
London, UK

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