How to Prepare Your Song for a Keyboard Recording

A great keyboard part starts with a clear brief. Before you request a recording, decide what role the keys should play: a warm pad underneath, a rhythmic comp, a lead line or a short solo.

Export a rough mix with a click or tempo you are happy with, and note the key and tempo in your message. If the track has a chorus or bridge where you want something different, point to the time stamps.

Leave a little space in the arrangement. Keyboards sit best when guitars and vocals are not fighting for the same range, so tell your keyboardist what you would like to stay out of the way of.

Finally, share a reference song or two. A sound you can name is much easier to match than a feeling you have to describe.