Chris Groom on SoundBetter

Professional keyboard player, I'm all about serving and elevating songs to make them sound as good as they can possibly be.

I'm Chris, a versatile keyboard player and songwriter with over 25 years experience performing live, writing and recording solo and for other artists.

Whether you need expressive piano, lush synth textures or Hammond organ with soul, I bring creativity, feel and professionalism to every project. I've worked across genres including indie, pop, rock, singer-songwriter, always aiming to elevate songs with parts that serve the music.

I can help with:

Keyboard tracks (Piano, Rhodes, Synth, Hammond - customised for your track)
Arranging and production input
Remote session work with quick turnaround and HQ audio stems.

I'm down to earth, easy to work with, and focused on delivering what you and your song needs, whether that's a full performance or subtle layers that bring your track to life.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

7 Reviews

Endorse Chris Groom

by George Robinson
Asked Chris to record 3 tracks for me and they all sound amazing we did songs like rags to riches, one for my baby and no sad songs for me we are yet to record my vocals but Chris is a very talented musician and I highly recommend him
by Dale Husband
Gave Chris a vague brief to add some piano and keys to some new songs of mine, he massively overdelivered on my expectations, super quick turnaround with the option for amendments as needed. His parts have really lifted these songs and given me fresh inspiration for the rest of their production. Phenomenal player who also understands when less is more. Highly recommended.
by Josh Atkinson
I had the pleasure of getting Chris involved on one of my tracks which needed some kind of finishing touch, a bit like a 'cherry on top'.

What Chris came back with and with a very good turnaround time was absolutely what the song needed, adding wonderful flourishes and much needed textures which finished the track off brilliantly. It was an absolute treat to get him involved and I was very glad that I did.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you want any professional keys played by a brilliant musician, which Chris absolutely is.
by Jamie Donnelly
I've had the pleasure of working with Chris a couple of times. Once as an artist, and once as a session musician, and both times he far exceeded my already high expectations of him. As a session musician he brings EXACTLY what you want from a keyboard player. Appropriate tones and textures to suit the job. Five stars.
by Shane
It's a pleasure to co-write with Chris. While he has opinions, they are never so fixed that it becomes more about ego than what is ultimately best for the song. I respect and admire that. He is also what many might call a total natural - even though I suspect it's the result of years of hard work! His choice of what to play and what not to play is considered and thoughtful. His musicianship is also technically excellent, and his chord progressions show a real ear for quality. Plus he's a total sweetheart!
by Steve McCormick
Chris is a wonderful piano/ keyboard player. He recently added a lovely piano part to a track I was recording, which was exactly what the song needed.
He is also a very talented singer/ songwriter.
by Sam Bennett
Chris Groom has exceptional musicality, taste, and artistry paired with brilliant piano, arrangement, and production skills. He creates a space where artists can be truly vulnerable and creative. The perfect collaborator.

Interview with Chris Groom

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked on 3 albums with John P Taylor, I learned a huge amount about music production, writing and friendship.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Jamie Donnelly
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Building relationships and meeting new people.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's natural talent, it's not its practice and work that makes it look easy.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have a reference track?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Record a high quality demo, explain in plain language what you're looking for, provide a reference track, build a relationship based on mutual trust.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Piano, and 4 piano tuners.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Keep your ego outside the studio door.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Americana, singer songwriter.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to artists when they're explaining what they want from me.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I like to think of what I do as elevating a song. Picking out key phrases, passages that will make the song more meaningful. My ego is left outside the studio door and I only play what I think the song needs.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen to the track a few times and just start playing. I like to accentuate the great things that already exist in an artist's song and build on them.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Very simple and very effective. Kurzweil stage piano as midi keyboard, logic pro. I mainly use Arturia and Universal Audio plugins. In the near future I'll have a Hammond Organ in my studio.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Greg Philinganes, Cory Henry, Richard Marx, Bros. Laundreth
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mainly piano, hammond organ parts. I also do some arranging for clients.