timeless because they don ’ t tap too far into the sensibilities or excesses of the times in which they were born .
COMPLEMENTARY I also noticed that each example I conjured seemed to capture an artist , lyricist , or band at their best . All the pieces of what makes them unique working together in a complementary fashion . On ‘ Dreams ’ this is clear from the first bar , as the drums and bass lock into a groove that carries you through the entire song and ‘ Here I Am to Worship ’ s first lyrical turn clearly paints a picture of the song ’ s intent in terms of both melodic range and theological focus .
If you want to sound timeless in your contributions to your band , it ’ s important to consider the band as a whole . What is defining your sound , your dynamics , your feel ? Look for those opportunities to truly lock-in to each other in a meaningful , purposeful way . Bands ‘ in the groove ’ will always sound more timeless than a band of elite musicians all seeking the ‘ top of the mix ’ position .
CENTURIES , NOT DECADES As a keys player , sometimes it ’ s easy to get caught up in a world of synths , pads , strings , arps , and all the other crazy things I can make my keyboard sound like with the touch of a button . In other words , if I ’ m not careful I forget that on some basic level I ’ m always playing a piano .
When I hear the gritty , distorted guitars on ‘ She ’ s So Heavy ’ I ’ m reminded that the first instances of overdriven electric guitar were accidents , as guitarists turned up their tube amps in an effort to be heard in the mix . Over time of course this happy accident would revolutionize guitar-driven music , but even with today ’ s massive pedalboards , modelers , and effects rigs every guitarist is still playing a guitar at the end of the day .
The point I ’ m trying to make is that our approach to our instruments should be influenced not just by the popular effects or styles of the day , but also by the fundamentals that have brought our instruments to where they are today , and which will surely carry them forward for the next century too .
Timeless players play with a good sense of timing , pun very much intended . Timeless players understand the importance of musical phrasing , of counter-melody , and of just how effective a well-placed rest can be .
I ’ m a synth nerd . I get excited when I hear a cool new synth preset or idea on a record . It sparks my creativity , and I immediately start to think about how I can replicate it or let it inspire my next keys performance . This is a good thing , I just know I ’ m going to think about my relationship to the piano across its full history too the next time I hear something cool , and not just consider how it ties back into what Justin Timberlake and the gang were up to twenty-five years ago .
David Pfaltzgraff Founder and Lead Sound Designer at SundaySounds . com , a site that resources worship keys players and guitarists around the world . David currently resides in Des Moines , IA with his wife and two boys . He enjoys volunteering in his church ’ s worship ministry , old synthesizers , and a good super-hero movie .
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