Why are Keyboard Players Nerdy?

sopsych · 07-30-2011, 07:30 PM

I'd never really thought much about keyboard players before, but when I was trying to think of well-known ones who are good-looking (for the Hottest... thread), I realized it's an unattractive, nerdy bunch. (For example, even in rock music, Greg Hawkes.) Is the keyboard like the musical instrument of choice for a quiet, nerdy guy who these days probably loves computers? Yes, this is a serious thread.

Insane Guest · 07-30-2011, 07:44 PM

Mustis?

~~[MERIT]~~ · 07-30-2011, 08:12 PM

I think that piano music is a bit more mathematical in it's structure and composition, possibly attracting more of a left-brained type of personality.

Ben Butler · 08-02-2011, 01:37 AM

Learning to play the piano takes more skill. They are probably quite nerdy because a lot of them come from well off families who can afford to pay for lessons and are usually well educated. Not always the case, a lot of normal members of society play the piano, it's just stereotype.

sopsych · 08-02-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Butler

Learning to play the piano takes more skill. They are probably quite nerdy because a lot of them come from well off families who can afford to pay for lessons and are usually well educated. Not always the case, a lot of normal members of society play the piano, it's just stereotype.

That sounds like my relatives, musically/socioeconomically. Very good point, which could be validated by checking the backgrounds of famous keyboard players. For example, I just checked Page McConnell - his father was a doctor. And Jonathan Cain attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music. David Bryan went to Julliard. Greg Hawkes dropped out of Berklee College of Music.... Lol Tolhurst (once of The Cure) went to art school and "is also the uncle of Nick Tolhurst, an author on Corporate Social Responsibility and head of the Institute for Corporate Culture Affairs." Brian Eno went to art school. Robert Lamm and Geoff Downes attended college. More than a keyboard player: Trent Reznor's family probably didn't have much money, but he studied computer engineering in college. Ah, yes, found one who didn't go to college and apparently grew up working class - Gregg Rolie. (On cue, VH1 Classic plays a Journey song.)

Someone mentioned Nick Rhodes as not nerdy? Nick Rhodes of the muted sexuality? Lol.

An observation about the Farris brothers of INXS, probably none of whom attended college: the nerdiest-looking one is the keyboard player.

Howard the Duck · 08-02-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wisdom

Someone mentioned Nick Rhodes as not nerdy? Nick Rhodes of the muted sexuality? Lol.

he is immensely sexually appealing to men and women alike

Andy Warhol confessed to jacking off to Duran Duran videos, primarily when Rhodes was in the shot

sopsych · 08-03-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

he is immensely sexually appealing to men and women alike

Andy Warhol confessed to jacking off to Duran Duran videos, primarily when Rhodes was in the shot

Warhol was gay. My point is that Rhodes seems asexual. He's actually heterosexual, with rather private monogamous relationships. In that sense, more like a nerd than a "rock star" man-whore.

**Janszoon** · 07-30-2011, 08:57 PM

Nerdy you say?

TockTockTock · 07-30-2011, 09:04 PM

Sun Ra wasn't nerdy. He was just... odd.

**Janszoon** · 07-30-2011, 09:12 PM

Nerdy?

07-30-2011, 07:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	Why are Keyboard Players Nerdy? I'd never really thought much about keyboard players before, but when I was trying to think of well-known ones who are good-looking (for the Hottest... thread), I realized it's an unattractive, nerdy bunch. (For example, even in rock music, Greg Hawkes.) Is the keyboard like the musical instrument of choice for a quiet, nerdy guy who these days probably loves computers? Yes, this is a serious thread.

07-30-2011, 08:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Nerdy you say? __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

07-30-2011, 09:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Nerdy? __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

07-30-2011, 07:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Insane Guest Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: CA Posts: 1,322	Mustis?

07-30-2011, 08:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,823	I think that piano music is a bit more mathematical in it's structure and composition, possibly attracting more of a left-brained type of personality.

08-02-2011, 01:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ben Butler Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rudheath Posts: 393	Learning to play the piano takes more skill. They are probably quite nerdy because a lot of them come from well off families who can afford to pay for lessons and are usually well educated. Not always the case, a lot of normal members of society play the piano, it's just stereotype.

07-30-2011, 09:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	Sun Ra wasn't nerdy. He was just... odd.