Topic by alphabetter

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  • alphabetter
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  • Registered: 18-06-2020
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Topic: Jazz/Blues Piano

I've been really enjoying the Steinway B as my main instrument for practice, but I am starting to think it is a little too "polite" for some jazz/blues pieces.

I've been messing around playing to drum tracks on the iPad version of GarageBand with the default "Grand Piano" sound. It doesn't sound much like a grand piano to me, but it is a fun sound for playing bluey songs on.

Which of the pinaoteq instruments to people like for a more raw sound? I was thinking about the YC5 rock piano or the U4 Upright. I wonder if I might still think the YC5 is a bit too civilised, but then the U4 seems like it could be a bit gimmicky. What are your thoughts on those options or other suggestions?

Reply by dazric

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  • dazric
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Re: Jazz/Blues Piano

You can instantly make any piano less 'polite' by moving the condition slider to the right. Anything from slightly worn to honky-tonk or completely ruined, it's all possible!
Maybe also experiment with compression to get a bit more 'punch'. Choose one of the presets (for example 'Grand Piano medium') and adjust mix, ratio and threshold to taste.

Last edited by dazric (18-06-2020 11:39)

Reply by Stephen_Doonan

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  • Stephen_Doonan
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Re: Jazz/Blues Piano

It depends upon what kind of "impolite" sound you want: there are so many characteristics you can alter in Pianoteq. You can detune, change unison width, change the tone to a great degree using the Equalizer, change hammer hardness, spectrum profile, increase overtones while decreasing string length, as Dazric mentioned, move the condition slider (between the pedals and the virtual keyboard)-- the possibilities are nearly endless.

If you upload an audio example (such as an MP3) of a sound and piano character you like, others might be able to give you some pointers to help achieve that goal.

Last edited by Stephen_Doonan (18-06-2020 18:48)
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Reply by psterrett

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  • psterrett
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Re: Jazz/Blues Piano

My preferred Jazz piano at the moment is an FXP preset, Bill Evans 2,  based on the C. Bechstein DG. I cannot speak to the either the alleged, and not a little problematic, impoliteness or incivility of musical genres.

Last edited by psterrett (18-06-2020 23:21)
Kawai MP11SE / Pianoteq Pro Studio Bundle v7.5.2 (includes every Pianoteq instrument - 21 currently)