Modern pop and rock ballads chock-full of drama and melancholy.
From jazz to R&B, soul, pop and even metal – piano-based ballads have made lasting forays into all different genres over the years. It may be that the timbre of the piano adds another dimension of heart-wrenching narrative or that its harmonic color translates especially well in wound down tempos – but regardless of reason, pair the piano with a slow tune and it seems to unequivocally throw a wet blanket of melancholy over any song. Needless to say, the piano is the perfect vehicle for infusing your ballads with an extra dose of emotion.
This collection of EZkeys MIDI takes on a broad mainstream approach and comes with material inspired by rock and pop of the past couple of decades. Expect a multitude of playing styles chock-full with harmonies that cut like knives through each and every frail chord. This is the perfect match for anyone looking to write dramatic songs that touch deep.
Here’s our very own Rikk Currence with three top reasons as to why your songs will thank you for using EZkeys and our collection of EZkeys MIDI.
When and how did you discover your passion for music?
– Pretty early… Perhaps when I started to hammer the upright piano we had at home at the age five or six. That’s some kind of passion I guess! :). I think a turning point, passion-wise, was when I started playing different stuff than the classical piano that my mom wanted me to play. When I started playing in bands and such, 14-15 years old there about.
How come you ended up playing the keyboard?
– I had a piano at home, growing up. Mom taught me at first.
You have recorded several titles of MIDI for EZkeys by now. Explain a little about the process of recording one of these packs.
– I usually start by listening a lot to a playlist of songs. Get a feel of the genre. A vibe. Then usually a couple of ideas tend to emerge quite early. I switch a lot from the different songs/sessions I’m working on in the beginning. Like, if I’m recording a Stevie Wonder-kind-of-thing variation number 3, and suddenly feel like I have the Ray Charles take on this, I instantly open a new session and record the new idea. I find it easier and more fun to work this way – to never stop the creative process. To go with it. Instead of the well-I-really-should-be-doing-this-right-now-approach. And force it. There´s always time to edit/erase/change things up and record variations at a later stage. That’s a different kind of creation I think, like what to add, what to remove, more of this and that, or doing a very sparse take.
Name: Martin Hall
Location: Gothenburg
Martin has collaborated on several EZkeys MIDI packs over the years, spanning all kinds of styles. Below is a selection!
A playlist of various videos showcasing how to work with EZkeys.
A playlist of various videos showcasing how to work with EZkeys.
This video series demonstrates the workflow of writing music with EZkeys. Learn how to add a piano to match your guitar track, how to find new song parts how to work with several instances of EZkeys.
A working installation of an EZkeys sound library.
