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organ/keyboard in surf music
Joined: Aug 18, 2009 Posts: 2 |
Posted on Feb 20 2010 09:04 PM
Hi all, Although I am not a guitar player, I am a bass guitar/keyboard player. I was wondering if I could get any advice on playing the organ in surf music. I know there is no piano playing surf music, but if there is let me know. I just started playing piano about 2 months ago and have been playing bass for 3 so I could use some advice. Thanks. |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 4387 Under the Sun 
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Posted on Feb 20 2010 09:46 PM
There's plenty of piano and organ in support and lead roles in 60s surf - Dick Dale's "Death of a Gremmie" has a really cool piano line. And then there's The Chantays' "Pipeline," The New Dimensions' "National Breakout," the Avengers VI's "Time Bomb," The Tempomen's "Midnight on Pier 13" ... that's just the tip of the iceberg, really. As for more modern stuff, check out The Bomboras - they had a lot of organ-led songs, and (unlike the Boss Martians) had some interesting organ parts supporting the guitar-led songs. Also, The Surfites are probably the only current surf band to use electric piano pretty extensively. —That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it. |
Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19339 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Feb 20 2010 09:49 PM
Hey and welcome to the site. There is a lot of piano and keyboards in surf music. Of course there is Pipeline with the electric piano. Check out Dave Myer's & The Surftones "Gear" for another track with piano. Organ appeared more in the mid to late 60's. The Avenger's VI "Time Bomb" is a great track with organ. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Sep 02, 2006 Posts: 3166 Denver, CO
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Posted on Feb 20 2010 10:13 PM
No piano in surf music? There's lots of keyboards of all sorts in early surf and related instrumental music. More piano than organ at first, I think, though the organ is probably more favored now. Heck, there's piano in Misirlou, Mr Moto, and Pipeline. I'm not sure how the rumor got started that surf music was guitar only music, but it seems to be widely entrenched. It certainly is good guitar music, of course, and you can't very well leave out the guitar and drums as you can the keyboards and saxophone and occasionally even the bass. Get some CDs by the Chantays, Original Surfaris, New Dimensions, Avengers VI, maybe the Sandals and Al Casey. More recently, look up the Bomboras, Finks, Ghastly Ones, Mel-Tones (not sure if it's all actual keyboard-based keyboard sounds), and Meshugga Beach Party among others. It's true they call this the Surf Guitar 101 forum, but it's pretty instrument neutral. Make yourself at home! P.S. I swear I started this before there were any other replies. Last edited: Feb 21, 2010 02:20:08 |
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19339 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Feb 20 2010 10:23 PM
Well said Tuck. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 4387 Under the Sun
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Posted on Feb 20 2010 10:27 PM
How could I have forgotten that one? Yeah, it doesn't get any more mandatory and recommended than that one. Good call, Brian. —That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it. |
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Joined: Sep 02, 2006 Posts: 3166 Denver, CO
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Posted on Feb 21 2010 02:24 AM
Thank you, sir! And, um, Brian's signature reminds me to add Laika & the Cosmonauts and I'll have to second those remarks on Dave Myers & . |
Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 09:50 AM
Not only is there piano (a solo even!) on Mr. Moto-there's no BASS! |
Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1304
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 10:18 AM
I believe surf music benefits greatly with the addition of a wurlitzer or vox continental (farfisa or other combo organs). They just really add an extra dimension. https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger |
Joined: Aug 01, 2008 Posts: 404 North Carolina
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 10:51 AM
And let's not forget the Surfites —Ralph Be at one with the universe. If you can't do that, at least be at one with your guitar. |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 11:29 AM
Jim Roberts of the Belairs also contributed some very nice piano and organ for the Challengers through the years, most notably on their third LP "On the Move - Surfing Around the World" - check out "The Breeze and I", "Adventures in Paradise" and "On The Move". —Ivan |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 11:32 AM
QED |
Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 1568 Brighton UK
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Posted on Feb 22 2010 11:50 AM
It's going back a year or two now, but organ was pretty central to our sound in Dead Man's Curve. Johnny Deadman, who played it (and the accordian on one tune), is now living in Canada, so any Canucks who see him, say hi from me! — |
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Joined: Sep 02, 2006 Posts: 3166 Denver, CO
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Posted on Oct 18 2012 05:35 PM
The Apemen. Boss Martians. Fifty Foot Combo. Ninth Wave. Monster Pete & the Chiefs. Occasional Bambi Molesters, Satan's Pilgrims and Supertones. Last edited: Oct 18, 2012 18:10:50 |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2309 Stockholm, Sweden 
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Posted on Oct 19 2012 01:40 AM
CaptainSpringfield wrote:
DNAdude wrote:
Yeah, I've always been a big fan of the electric piano in surf music ever since I first heard "Pipeline". When we decided to start up the Surfites, it was a matter of course to include one in the group. — |
Joined: Apr 24, 2011 Posts: 1087 Surf City, NC
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Posted on Oct 19 2012 08:03 AM
I recently purchased and started using a mini synth / keyboard with The Meteor Men. Sounds great thus far and adds a lot to the overall sound of the group. That said I utilize it pretty sparsely at present. Use it for intros, effects, endings and on a bridge or two. We're a 4 piece band: guitar, guitar, bass, drum. |
Joined: Apr 03, 2010 Posts: 3201 Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Oct 19 2012 08:40 AM
Organ is surely essential to our sound and included on 99% of what we do. —THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary. www.thekbk.com |
Joined: Nov 03, 2006 Posts: 693 San Clemente, CA
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Posted on Oct 19 2012 02:54 PM
other songs that have been recorded with keys.... Theme From Endless Summer Happy Sunsets! |
Joined: Aug 19, 2006 Posts: 958 Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii
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Posted on Oct 21 2012 02:04 AM
The Surfites ROCK! The Surfites RULE! The Surfites are AWESOME and one of our most favorite groups....yes, all the way over here!! The TakeOffs |
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 1753
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Posted on Oct 21 2012 08:39 AM
Agreed on the Wurlitzer electric piano sound in surf music. I love it! Tuck above mentioned Al Casey, and do check that out. The album is called "Surfin' Hootenanny" and features a young Leon Russell on organ playing on many of the tracks. Also you should check out the Treblemakers (the surf band from Toronto). Extensive use of Farfisa organ. |
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