zahush76 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 i've been searching the web for books or websites about special clav techniques, but all i could find was maintenance stuff and general information. also, i have lots of funk music to learn from (by listening and trying to imitate), but there are some licks that i can't tell how they're done. i need to see it or have someone or some book tell me how it's done. where can i find material about how to play clav style? Vermona Perfourmer mkii, Nord Stage 3 76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultwist Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Get the Pop Piano Book by Mark Harrison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Try searching on YouTube or any similar video site for the songs so you can watch the hands. There's a thread here about a Superstition video on YouTube. You can't find better clav technique than that. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABECK Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 It's all in the shoulders. You just got to go - waka chikka waka chicka.... The one thing I noticed when I had a D6 was the action of a real clav lends itself to that funky type of playing naturally. It has a sensitive, springing feel that just begs to be played funky. I have a hard time connecting the same way on a synth action keyboard, even if it's a good sample. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Definitely check out the youtube thread for "Superstition" as mentioned above. That is the holy grail of clavinet playing. I find it easiest to approach clav parts thinking like a percussionist. It is all about playing alternate rhythms in both your left and right hand. Once you get it right, the place will start to smell real fast. Good luck. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Coury Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Check out Billy Preston's "Outta Space" (sometimes spelled Outa), or Edgar Winter's "Free Ride" for just a few of the classic nuances and patterns of the clavinet. "Oh yeah, I've got two hands here." (Viv Savage) "Mr. Blu... Mr. Blutarsky: Zero POINT zero." (Dean Vernon Wormer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 The clav break on Jeff Beck's Play With Me is still just about my favorite clav moment. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 I'm with you zahush, I really haven't much of an idea as to how to really play the clav. I can bullshit some funky licks on it, but I'm no Stevie. But then again, I haven't really spent much time with it...my recommendation, practice with ONLY clav for a few practice sessions. Doodle for a while. Play it like you would a piano, then figure out what works on it and what doesn't, and adjust accordingly. Fiddle with the different settings (EQ, pickups, FX etc.), deciding what you like and don't like (and what setting achieves what kind of sound). And of course, when you're feeling a bit more confident, try learning some style things (rhythmic figures, licks, which hand does what, etc) off of records. I reckon the one thing you need to listen to is 'Outta Space' by Billy Preston. 'Superstition' is certainly the signature sound of the clav (as is 'Higher Ground' for auto-wah clav), but on the record Superstition has TWO clavinets happening, so imitating it will probably end up being confusing. 'Outta Space' however has the melody, chords, licks, soloing & wikka-wah rhythmic stuff by just ONE clavinet. Far better case study, I would think. A waterfall action helps too, unweighted keys just dont have the bounce that lends itself to funky playing, and hammer-action keys just dont feel right, probably due to the weight and the return time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Additionally, whoever is playing on these demos for the Scarbee F.E.P (clav sample library) knows how to play the clavinet! Seriously worth a listen! http://www.scarbee.com/demos/fep_demos.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zahush76 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Share Posted March 15, 2007 Additionally, whoever is playing on these demos for the Scarbee F.E.P (clav sample library) knows how to play the clavinet! Seriously worth a listen! http://www.scarbee.com/demos/fep_demos.php thanks! these are great samples. first of alli want to say that i have tons of funk records - so i'm not short on clav examples. i just need to figure out how it's done. i don't have a real clav. i want to play the clav sound on my nord stage, so it's not the same keyboard action anyway. about the stevie wonder video - you can actually see him playing only here and there, but it's not the best angle to learn from. but thank you all! Vermona Perfourmer mkii, Nord Stage 3 76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trill Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Zahush, here are two books with cds and examples of clav technique.The first book is overall Rhodes,clav,synth ,organ And the second is half clav half organ. Hope that helps you out Funk keyboards the complete method 60 of the funkiest keyboard riffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matted stump Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Play it like you are a drummer. Try some exercises where you ignore the notes you are hitting, just play syncopated rhythms. Aim for precision in your timing, use of velocity to emphasize the rhythms, and leave some space so it will be fonky! Moe --- "I keep wanting to like it's sound, but every demo seems to demonstrate that it has the earth-shaking punch and peerless sonics of the Roland Gaia. " - Tusker http://www.hotrodmotm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffk Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Wow, sound advice above. Abeck's right: I just recently had the good fortune to doodle around on a real clav and I was blown away by the springy action that, in truth, do beg themselves to be played percussively. On the other hand, the Nord Stage's keys and action don't lend themselves at all to natural funky playing. Nonetheless, if you're really keen on doing it, that's not going to stop you. Playing tip: put your fave clav tracks on 'repeat' and play along to death. When it becomes automatic stop, rest, then do it again. It's as much about getting in the pocket and feeling the groove - which comes from an extended practice session - as about hitting the right notes. Good luck. YouTube music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delete Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Think staccato Just sold my D6 for $1100 cash. Bought it for $500 twenty years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zahush76 Posted March 17, 2007 Author Share Posted March 17, 2007 thank you all! good advices. Vermona Perfourmer mkii, Nord Stage 3 76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary75 Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 It's definitley a percussive technique, i have some vids of me on d6 and scarbee d6 on youtube if you would like to see them, my user name is clavdig. Im using a Kurzweil SP76 with the Scarbee, waterfall keys, heavier than the clavinet in playing but nice to play. All the best Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffk Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 How's it going, Gary! Good to see you over here . YouTube music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary75 Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Hey Cliff, Good to catch up with a fellow YouTuber! Are you still using your Electro 2? Im interested to see what the new Nord C1 is going ot be like. I miss not having a manual wah vst on my Receptor for clavinet though, but it is great sounding. Must try and find one for it! Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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