This thesis is an examination about different keyboard instruments and how the pianist can use them in a groove context. All keyboard instruments have different attack, decay, release, overtones, and dynamics, as well as different opportunities to affect these parameters. Every instrument also involves various opportunities and challenges in an ensemble, in the way they affect and are affected by the playing of the fellow musicians.

The examination involved that I played, recorded, and transcribed different keyboard patterns from different recordings. I played every pattern with four different instruments and explored how the groove changed based on the instruments I played and how I could use the parameters of every instrument to get variation. First, I did this playing to drum loops and later with real musicians.  

My conclusions are that getting an overview of the overtones and how distinct the instruments can be is the key to improve your ability to play different keyboard instruments. To get to know instruments and their ways to express intensity is the essence of finding your way into the groove.