Close Your Eyes & Play :
PHOTO : JEN SQUIRES
KEYBOARDS
Megan Bonnell is a singer-songwriter / multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto , ON . She is currently on tour with Great Lake Swimmers in support of her 2016 album , Magnolia ( Cadence Music ).
For more information , visit : www . meganbonnell . ca .
By Megan Bonnell
Close Your Eyes & Play :
Finding Your Instrument & Sound
I was three years old when I first began finding my way around the 88- key decrepit and beautiful beast that lived in my basement . To this day , I swear that I would hear it play songs in the night that would wake me from sleep . Her long , warbley , and out-of-tune notes would resonate through the vent into my bedroom . I would lie there wide eyed , terrified by the ghost player I had yet to see .
Nowadays , I have an affinity for an outof-tune piano with a few ivory teeth as well as a couple of notes missing . There is something magical about knowing your way around its makeup , almost human with the amount of character it exudes . It ’ s your dearest friend , there for you to talk to , pour your heart into , and confide in . She responds to your every note , giving you back something beautiful , powerful , and melodious .
Your Sound I am not a “ techie ” person . I am lucky to be surrounded by bandmates and producers who are , but for me , all of my songs have been written by ear and demoed on an archaic and basic version of GarageBand . I can ’ t read music . I taught myself how to play by listening to songs and sounding them out on the piano . When I am writing , I don ’ t look to musical theory for my next move . This is a virtue and a vice . I find it a hindrance when I am with a band wanting to jam or while doing a co-write . But it is absolutely the greatest virtue when I am at my piano alone , writing a song . I close my eyes , listen to the chords coming out , and the feelings they evoke . You lead with your heart , not with your head .
Your Instrument There is nothing better than playing on a real piano , but for many years , living in a tiny bachelor and playing bar gigs , that was not a luxury I could swing . Again , I am not at all tech-savvy , so I went to Long & McQuade and tested out everything on their show floor . I closed my eyes , and listened . This led me to purchase a Yamaha P-155 . It is still the keyboard I bring to gigs .
A lot of piano players select keyboards for the plethora of sounds they offer – synths , strings , you name it – but for me , those keyboards with vast catalogues of sounds can sometimes lack the authentic and kick-ass piano sound I live for . As a piano player who only has use for a real piano sound , I need it to be full and rich , with a certain level of dynamic intonation and resonance . The biggest challenge I have found with electric pianos is that they are inclined to sound bright and thin ; they tend to lack real character and warmth .
Your Music I recorded my most recent album , Magnolia , at a state-of-the-art studio in Toronto called Union Sound . This album features the piano heavily , making up about half of the 12 songs . Because I am a singer-songwriter , the songs require a lot of emphasis and focus on the piano . Whether it ’ s a tune with a full band sound or not , the piano and vocals most often have to lead . This made it so important for us to get the voicing right .
Lucky for me , Union Sound has a beautiful Yamaha U3 in their main room . I was so pleased to find this out not only because of how great it would sound , but because I wouldn ’ t have to lug Daisy , my big , heavy , awkward beast , across town .
So you can imagine my surprise when one of the tunes just wasn ’ t sitting right on the real piano ! “ What ?!” I thought . It couldn ’ t be so . After all the times I yearned for the real thing and it didn ’ t fit the bill .
And so in came Daisy , my Yamaha P-155 to the rescue ! Her voicing felt so much more right for the specific song . I learned that perhaps I was naive to think that going classic was the only way to go when given the option . It ’ s about listening . Don ’ t be fooled by the sparkle . Although it shines bright , it might not sound right ! ( I ’ m sorry . I had to .)
So , if you are looking to purchase a piano , whether you ’ re technically-oriented or not , I urge you , close your eyes , and play . Does its sound speak to you in a voice you connect with ? Does it inspire you ? Find the one that does , and you will write and play many beautiful songs together .
26 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN