i bought a fp4 to replace my kawai es4 and fp2 (+ srx11, srx12 in xv-2020) for gigging.

the fp4 action is really fast. the key return is quicker than  any digital piano i have played. i found it noticeably more difficult playing the same fast scale runs on the other models in the showroom, which were the rd-700sx, fp7, rd-300sx (slowest), kawai mp8, cp-300.  

the new textured key surfacing is very nice, it gives much better traction and feels almost like ivory keys. my old es4 and fp2 keys are easier to slip on.

the fp4 "piano 1" uses the same samples as the "superior grand" on the rd-700sx,  not the "ultimate grand" samples found in the rd-300sx and fantom. the "superior grand" on the rd-700sx has a fatter note sustain after the initial attack and somewhat more clarity.  however, when playing live i think that the fp-4 will sound almost exactly the same. i listened while my friend played the same repeated melody and chords back and forth between the rd-700sx and the fp4 using a motion sound stereo amp. from a distance of  20 feet and then 30 feet, with my eyes closed, they sounded virtualy the same to me, especialy the single note runs. listening up close, especialy when playing full chords, the rd-700sx had the edge with a fatter woodier sound with better presence. but with a little bass boost the fp4 single note runs were almost identical. i think that the rd-700sx piano 1 is better for playing solo at home and for recording, but for live i don't hear much difference. and the fp4 weighs only 33 pounds.
There are 17 comments, leave a comment.
wow, didn't know the thing was so light and had internal speakers
there are lots of terrific gospel and spirituals out there.  "precious lord" and "higher ground" are two of my favorites -- hank crawford with mac rebennack on b3 have a great version of the former, while pianist chuck leavell has a nice solo piano version of the latter (in a [?!]).

ray charles's "drown in my own tears," "hallelujah i love her so," and "let's go get stoned" all feature beautiful "sanctified" progressions as well.  

hampton hawes's album "the sermon" has a bunch of brilliant improvisations in a jazz context on spirituals and gospels.  leroy vinnegar is on the bass, i believe.

think triadic harmony coupled with basslines moving stepwise (frequent inversion of chords) and use of diminished passing chords.  octaves in the right hand, octaves in the left hand, octaves everywhere.  since it seems like you may not have heard much of this music, getting an authentic rhythm may be the major difficulty -- i think it's the most important element, by far, in this music.
wow - thanks jazz+! my second fp8 just bit the dust (keys crumbled like bad teeth)  i've been considering the rd700sx or the s90, but the thought of an fp series was one i wanted to check out further.  i did not know they were so light too!
thanks:)
i meant yamaha s90es  i've played each of those live and was not blown away by either one...(i love my cue stick piano)
in one of the new real books there is a yellowjackets song called redemption (i think) that is packed full of modern gospel licks, all chorded out for piano too.
If I'm not back in 24 hours, call the president.

Scot is available for skype jazz piano lessons (and google hangouts, phone call, etc...)
Use the contact link at the top of the page.
sounds like a nice keyboard. are the internal speakers loud enough for a low to moderate level group situation in a small venue?
i think the tune is called "revelation" -- it's in the third volume of the new real book.
hey jazz what did it cost? thx charlie
i forgot to mention that if you decide to learn the changes to any particular tune (it's probably best to learn a *tune* rather than spend too much time on generic patterns, like i --> iii7/5 --> vi or i --> v7+ --> i --> i+5/3 [sometimes spelled iii7+] --> iv --> #ivo etc., which, taken out of context, can be pretty meaningless), whether off the record or from the original sheet music, i'd be happy to help spice up the progressions with passing chords or suggestions as needed.  

there's a homespun video with an excellent gospel pianist (i can't remember her name just now) which i'd recommend as well.  she really breaks everything down, plus she can *really* play.  homespun videos are worth the money, imo, for the amount of stuff you can pick up by watching them.  if you buy it, you should try to use the link in the upper left corner of the page so scot gets credit for referring a purchase.  or find it at a library.
in a a quick 10 second yahoo search i found them between $1295 & $1495 usd....
thanks a lot:)
i paid $1015 (+ $20 shipping)
was that online or a local store?
"was that online or a local store?"

"+$20 shipping"

online is my guess!!

dave
am i reading you correctly when you say you're no longer using the srx-12 expansion card?  even if you are still using the srx rhodes, would you say the fp-4 rhodes is adequate for "exposed" playing -- taking solos, comping in a small combo, even solo piano?
good guess dave, but i've learned that "assume" makes and "ass" out of "u" and "me" :)

the real question is whether jazz+ plus got a special deal because of some connection or is it a tip he is  willing to share. i'm guessing it's the former - but then there's that "ass" "u" me" thing again :)
Please sign in to post.

Jazz Piano Notebook Series
Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 1 - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 1 of this educational jazz piano book contains 15 jazz piano exercises, tricks, and other interesting jazz piano techniques, voicings, grooves, and ideas Scot Ranney enjoys playing.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version - videos

Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 2 - jazz piano tricks of the trade you can use today
"Latinesque"

Volume 2 has 14 jazz piano exercises and tricks of the trade, and quite a bit of it is Calypso jazz piano related material, including some Monty Alexander and Michel Camilo style grooves. Jazz piano education is through the ears, but books like this can help.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Tim Richards' Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 3 contains 12 jazz piano exercises and explorations by the acclaimed jazz piano educator, pianist, author, and recording artist Tim Richards.

Tim wrote the well known "Exploring Jazz Piano" and "Improvising Blues Piano" books and has several others to his name.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Jeff Brent's Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 4 is by Jeff Brent, a jazz pianist, composer, teacher, and author of "Modalogy" and other acclaimed jazz theory and education books. In this book Jeff shares detailed analysis of transcriptions of live performances. He covers everything from the shape of the songs to the tricks and licks he uses in improvised lines to the ideas behind his lush chord voicings.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Most Recent Discussions
Great Resource for Jazz Pianists
Scale in Calderazzo solo
analyzing Someone To Watch Over Me
Site updates
Korg SV-1 vs Nord Electro
Brad Brad Mehldau's independant left hand
more...
Articles

Piano for Adoption Scam
Aprender Jazz en Piano
BEWARE: FREE BABY GRAND PIANO SCAM
Oh Tannenbaum for Jazz Piano
Volume 5 of the "Jazz Piano Notebook Series" is Available!
LearnJazzPiano.com File Downloads News
more...

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazzy Christmas Arrangements
Cocktail Piano
Best Songs Ever, 6th Edition
Christmas Medley
Moana Songbook
Late Night Jazz Piano

Jazz piano education is cool.

be the main character in your own story

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In

privacy policyterms of serviceabout • 50,655 messages 63,069 accounts 57,171 logins
LearnJazzPiano.com Copyright © 1995-2024 by Scot Ranney • website software and design by scot's scripts
LearnJazzPiano.com is For Sale - Serious Inquiries Only