How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.

com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

THE NO.1 WEBSITE FOR MUSICIANS

MORE Cyber Monday plugin deals Music Gear Reviews Free music samples Best free music-making software 24 free chord lessons

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Home > Tuition > Keyboard Magazine

How to play rhythm piano

By Keyboard Magazine last updated March 14, 2022

It's a subtle art

CLOSE

(Image credit: Getty/Fred Hayes)

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to play piano in many diHerent styles. Whether I’m playing pop, rock, or country, the piano’s role in all of
these genres is almost always to play rhythm. PLAY SOUND

DON'T MISS
"

1 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

• Explore our pick of the best digital pianos

• The best online piano lessons available today
• The best acoustic pianos for all budgets

The most important principles of rhythm piano are listening and responding to the rest of the rhythm section. Being a great rhythm piano player is, in
many ways, like being a great drummer. 

There’s nothing worse than a severe diZerence of opinion between the keyboardist and the drummer as to where the groove is, so my philosophy is that
the drummer is generally correct! 

Sponsored Links

Questo gioco di strategia è il miglior allenamento per il tuo cervello. Nessun download.
Forge of Empires Gioca

Here are four examples of rhythm piano, all using the same chord progression and key, but employing diZerent stylistic interpretations. Remember, if
drummers like playing with you, you’re headed for success!

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

2 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...

1. Gospel and ghosts

Ex. 1 is a Gospel-style rhythm piano part, and one I’ll use in pop music if the song calls for a little “church.” The basic feel is quarter-notes, but throwing in
accented, dotted quarters helps outline the groove I’m going for. In this example, you’ll notice my frequent use of “ghost” rhythms alongside the main
rhythmic pulse. This technique helps outline the track’s subdivision, and also helps me groove with the drummer without overplaying. These “ghosts” are
very subtle, much like the ones a drummer often plays on the snare in between backbeats.

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

3 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Ex. 1 (Image credit: Future)

2. NoLa swing
In Ex. 2, I’m playing a New Orleans-style rhythm piano part. The key to this style is to and a rhythmic pocket somewhere in
between straight and swing eighth-notes. As in the previous example, I do a lot of “ghosting” alongside the main rhythmic pulse, which again helps the
piano and drums connect. Remember that the main idea of rhythm piano playing is getting inside the drummer’s feel so you can feed oZ of each other in
a rhythmic conversation.

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

4 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Ex. 2 (Image credit: Future)

3. Play the feel, not the Mll

Ex. 3 is a standard pop/country ballad. This kind of piano part needs to bow seamlessly between chord changes, so remember that simplicity and
relaxation are the hallmarks. As in Ex. 1, the basic feel is quarter-notes, with eighth-notes used as connectors. Any additional alls should be derived from
that quarter-note pulse, and never interfere with it, as illustrated by the saying, “Play the feel, not the all.” My approach to this type of accompaniment is
to try to make it sound like the singer is playing the piano as well. Any alls or extra bits should only be in response to the vocal.

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

5 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Ex. 3 (Image credit: Future)

4. Hornsby-ing
Ex. 4 is a midtempo, Bruce Hornsby-esque rhythm piano part. In this style, I often use octaves or sustained “drone” notes, alling in chord structures while
keeping the drone notes constant. Notice how this style aZords the pianist an even greater opportunity to play like a drummer. Once again, I’m alling in
rhythmic “ghosts” or subdivisions with my left hand to accentuate the pulse. The accents of these “ghosts” really help telegraph the song’s groove. For
me, this process is very much a physical one, where I use my body to feel the music I make on the piano. For this style, a little Gospel grit can go
a long way.

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

6 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Ex. 4 (Image credit: Future)

The best of MusicRadar in your inbox

Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials

SIGN ME UP

Contact me with news and oZers from other Future brands

Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Keyboard Magazine

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

Johnny Marr's choice for the greatest guitarist of all time is surprising - and his new pedalboard is too
He also explains what still drives him to take guitar into the future
PLAY SOUND
Music Radar

Questo gioco di strategia è il miglior allenamento per il tuo cervello. Nessun download.
Forge of Empires | Sponsored Gioca

7 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

5 trend sulle criptovalute destinati a esplodere nel 2022

eToro | Sponsored Clicca qui

#Shedthatcarbon per una vita in salute su un pianeta sano

La vita in salute non riguarda solo il raggiungimento del peso forma, ma anche il ridurre l'impronta di carbonio.Prova oggi il programma #shedthatcarbon di Beko
Beko | Sponsored Scopri di più

Quanto vale la tua auto? Scoprilo in 30 secondi!

Noicompriamoauto.it | Sponsored

Your 10 favourite new guitar amp and amp pedals of 2022

You voted, we counted - a win for modelling in 2022?
Music Radar

Costa pochi €, ma aspira, lava, disinfetta, lucida e profuma

60€ di sconto solo per oggi!
Neatron | Sponsored

Jack White blasts Elon Musk after Kanye Twitter ban: “Perhaps you’re learning how harmful it can be when you let
dangerous, hateful people say whatever they want”
White reminded Musk that Twitter is not by definition the town square and urged him to “do the right thing” and remove “hate mongers” from the platform
Music Radar

Pancia grassa? Il medico consiglia di fare questo prima di dormire

Golden Tree | Sponsored

The 10 best online guitar personalities of 2022, as voted for by you

Music Radar

Grab a Behringer FX pedal from $14 at Sweetwater now. Yes, $14 CLOSE
Music Radar

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND
The Secret Behind Babbel: An Expert Explains Why This App Is the Best for Learning a New Language
Babbel | Sponsored

Hear David Gilmour play guest lead guitar on new Donovan song Rock Me

8 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

It's unmistakably Gilmour

Music Radar

Here Are 20 of the Coolest Gifts for This 2022

20 hottest cool gadgets you'll regret not getting before they sell out!
Top Gadgets | Sponsored Shop Now

The best rock drummers of 2022, according to you

A tragic but redemptive year for rock drumming
Music Radar

Verifica la tua intelligenza. Rispondi a 22 domande e scopri qual è il tuo QI.

WW IQ Test | Sponsored

Engineer Bruce Swedien on the making of Michael Jackson's Thriller: "I went in when Eddie Van Halen was warming up
and I left immediately. It was so loud - I would never subject my hearing to that kind of volume level!"
As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the biggest-selling album of all time
Music Radar

Cerchi un'auto per la famiglia? Nuovi incentivi statali dicembre 2022 con e senza rottamazione
richiedmiglioreiofferta.com | Sponsored

Steve Lukather recalls how Prince gave him the silent treatment and shares memories of being one of the few guitarists
to jam with Eddie Van Halen live
“I’m playing all day long and the cat never said nothing to me,” says Lukather, who admits to being more than a little creeped out The Purple One's inscrutable in-
studio demeanour
Music Radar

Vetrate scorrevoli senza permessi

Richiedi online un preventivo gratis
Belle Vetrate Scorrevoli | Sponsored

Noel Gallagher says guitar chords are “completely meaningless” to his songwriting
The High Flying Birds frontman and former Oasis guitarist is all about the melody “because that’s what sticks”
Music Radar
CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

Paga il prezzo più basso: luce da 0,4€/KwH e gas da 2,2€/smc al mese.

PLAY SOUND

ComparaSemplice.it | Sponsored

Your 10 favourite new electric guitars of 2022

Silver Sky thinking

9 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Music Radar

Why Millennials Are Using Their Phones To Learn A Language In 3 Weeks

Babbel | Sponsored Learn More

The best new free music-making software: essential freeware synths, drum machines and effects for December 2022
Platforms: Mac/PC | Formats: VST/AU | Download
Music Radar

The 10 best metal guitarists in the world in 2022, according to you

Please throw your horns in appreciation for the year's top metal players
Music Radar

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

10 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

11 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

Advertisement
PLAY SOUND

12 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Advertisement

MOST POPULAR MOST SHARED

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

13 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

1 Blur drummer Dave Rowntree: “Some dads and sons would go to the football. We'd sit around the kitchen table with soldering irons,
building radios”

2 Get Keef T-style guitar swagger for less with the new £207 TE-53KR BL Tribute

3 Donner’s DED-20 is a roll-up drum pad that Mts in your backpack

4 Are these Epiphones the best value Les Pauls you can get right now?

5 John Lennon's 10 greatest songs with the Beatles and beyond, as voted for by you

Advertisement

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

14 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Advertisement

Advertisement

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

15 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Advertisement

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

16 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

Advertisement

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

17 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

CLOSE

My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

18 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04
How to play rhythm piano | MusicRadar https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-play-rhythm-piano

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

About Us Terms and conditions Privacy policy Cookies policy

Accessibility Statement Careers GDPR consent

CLOSE
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number
2008885.
My Pedalboard - Chris Buck

PLAY SOUND

19 di 19 11/12/2022, 18:04