For all the reasons explained in the guitar thread, and the one mentioned by bubblyrat, pianos need to be addressed with extreme caution - not least because THEY ARE LOUD.

There is a long tradition of piano in Scottish music, and you'll hear a particular brand of (relatively recent) Irish with piano accompaniment too.

I enjoy playing along with a good pianist more than I like listening to recordings, but it has to be done with delicacy and, as with any accompaniment, with due regard to melody and chords (or lack of them).

Too much volume, too many chords, or too heavy hands and I'm with Bubblyrat.

There's a grand piano in The Chemic, and if there are enough in, and I'm in the mood, and I think everyone else is in the mood too, I very occasionally enjoy a bit of a vamp myself (and there are a few other Joannas who come along and are welcomed). But a very light staccato touch is essential, otherwise it all starts to sound a bit Hall of the Mountain King.

Not so keen on electronic keyboards I have to say, but that's because to my ears vibrations made by cardboard speakers don't resonate with the vibrations from real instruments.

Tom

Not sure I understand all the ramifications of Shambles post.