I’ve worked with a variety of producers and directly with artists, this involved keyboard playing and occasionally musical directing. This has gone onto playing for the artists I record with in a live situation and songwriting with them.
My name is George and I’ve been playing keys for the last 8 years. This had turned into arranging and musical directing for live and studio environments. I have never been classically trained and don't read much sheet music however this has meant that my strength is playing by ear and active listening. I understand all other aspects of music theory to a high level and have no problem reading or writing charts. I also have a large network of other musicians and producers that I consistently work with and have great relationships with.
My keys playing started on piano but is now completely flexible across all keyboard styles and genres. My favourite genre is R&B funk or soul, however I also take influences of jazz, rock etc. into all of my playing and have played lots of other genres before. Another good example of this is that In currently the keys player for an artist called Tafara who is a reggae artist and I have been involved in the recording for all of the songs she had released and is yet to release. I am still playing for her live and have been for over 4 months.
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Credits
Languages
- English
Interview with George Edney
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I volunteered to produce some work for my previous college and the songs turned out great with everyone involved being happy
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Some work on new songs for the artist Tafara and also some varied work for a producer
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Yes there are a collection of musicians that I would recommend depending on the track
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: For my keyboard digital, it gives me a huge range if sound and flexibility, for processing, I love some analog gear to bring life to a sound
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That the song comes first, and my playing will reflect that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The ability to enjoy creation and contribute to things that I’m proud of
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Would you play this genre? Yes I enjoy all styles
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That my job is to play just to make the keyboard sound good, when really it is to lift everything else
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want for the track, to make it a hit, to make it musically sound, to make it meaningful etc.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Think best about what the song needs and make sure you implement someone who is fit to tackle those challenges
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Mac, keyboard, interface, paper and pen
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: In my career I still work in events in production and sound, music is heavily involved so this is where it all began
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Unless given other instruction, my main approach is to lift the song and support the music decisively without taking over
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Stormzy, I love the approach his live music has to interesting arrangements and changes
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always know the track before you try and attack it
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Many things especially funk, soul, R&B and pop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Keyboard playing is my strongest, however when paired with my musical directing I come up with some interesting ideas and choices
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a sound which could be seen as lush, I play drums alongside keyboard and this means that a lot of my focus goes not just into my harmony but the rhythm of my playing
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually listen through any songs a few times, to get the main feel and structure into my head, when I then move onto playing, the first step helps me to serve the song best as possible and fill in gaps or support the music
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use logic on a Mac Mini M1 with a focusrite 18i20 and my personal keyboard the Yamaha YC88
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Greg Phillinganes, Cory Henry, Shaun Martin
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Playing all keyboard parts on a song, and arranging songs in the songwriting process
Able to work in person or remotely, depending on project but can assure that I will complete a keys part for 1 song in a week maximum. Will allow 2 rounds of revisions, as many as needed
- Yamaha YC88
- Mac Mini
- Focusrite 18i20
Request 3 tracks and get a 4th one free
