Who played better piano?

I'm tossing my hat in for Paul just because of the splendid job he did playing the piano intro to While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

But I actually think John played some beautiful piano on his Imagine album.

What say you guys?

Insufficient data, I think. They could all play; I don't know if any of them could really play well. We need more definite examples. Most of the time I couldn't say who was on the keys; whereas on guitar, if you listen carefully, you can usually tell.

Tony

Oh, I think Paul has become a fine piano player - Just by virtue of Lady Madonna and Martha My Dear. He's improved since then. John was more of a chord pounder, though he definitely had a light touch when necessary in his songs. But he wasn't a very melodic or creative player, as Paul is.

Well, I wonder how much of that is matter of style, and how much a matter of skill. With John you see the same tendencies in his guitar playing and his songwriting in general. He liked pounding chords. Whereas Paul's more lyrical approach applies to his songwriting (and bass and guitar) as well.

Tony

Paul wins here. The fact that most of the piano parts in the Beatles songs are played by him means two things: 1º that he liked to show up (j/k ) and 2º that he had a superior technique than, say, John. John was, as you have said, more of a chord master, and Paul was always able to deliver more intrincate piano parts for the Beatles' songs.

I got to include George Martin because he played some awesome Piano too

I think Paul was the best Pianist of them all. I learned "Imgaine" quickly (which is considered John's greatest piano bit), but "Martha My Dear" is very difficult. I rate "best" on level of difficulty. Paul just had more practice, I suppose.

Paul maybe? although it's hard for me to pick...

Well, as much as I like John's playing on Imagine, I give my vote to Paulie.

I think Paul had taken some piano lessons from his father and he certainly knew something. Young John Lennon wanted to be Elvis and play guitar and he learned to play piano somewhat later.

I'd say Paul, no question. Not a doubt. I don't think John could have ever played stuff like Martha My Dear or Lady Madonna. If you hear keyboards or piano on a Beatles songs, I'd say the majority of the time it's Paul, unless George Martin handled it.

During the 'Get Back' sessions, Paul showed up early on many mornings, and he would sit at the piano for the cameras and play whatever was on his mind. It's mainly early versions of many of his own classics, and you can basically hear him writing some familiar changes then and there. It's all on the original tapes, and I definitely remember hearing songs like Let It Be, The Long And Winding Road, Oh Darling, Golden Slumbers, Woman (the one he gave away, not John's of course), and much more. I think an example of this stuff is shown at the very beginning of the 'Let It Be' movie, but if I remember right, it's either a classical piece or something he just came up with on the spot.

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Paul wins here. The fact that most of the piano parts in the Beatles songs are played by him means two things: 1º that he liked to show up (j/k ) and 2º that he had a superior technique than, say, John. John was, as you have said, more of a chord master, and Paul was always able to deliver more intrincate piano parts for the Beatles' songs.

I couldn't have said it better. Don't get me wrong, John plays a brilliant piano part on songs like "Imagine", but when it comes to better technique, Paul wins hands down. When you watch Paul play, it seems like it comes much more naturally to him, and that he really enjoys playing, his hands are always flying about the keys! I can even hear it on the songs - on "Let it Be" and "The Long and Winding Road", the piano sounds so beautiful and elegant. Personally, I think John didn't mind playing the chords on piano or keyboard, but the enthusiasm Paul has when he plays just doesn't seem to be there for John.

Paul.

Paul.

Originally Posted by Jerry

During the 'Get Back' sessions, Paul showed up early on many mornings, and he would sit at the piano for the cameras and play whatever was on his mind. It's mainly early versions of many of his own classics, and you can basically hear him writing some familiar changes then and there. It's all on the original tapes, and I definitely remember hearing songs like Let It Be, The Long And Winding Road, Oh Darling, Golden Slumbers, Woman (the one he gave away, not John's of course), and much more. I think an example of this stuff is shown at the very beginning of the 'Let It Be' movie, but if I remember right, it's either a classical piece or something he just came up with on the spot.

The piece Paul was attempting in "Let It Be" was Barber's "Adagio for Strings."

I would have to say Paul has the edge. There was some great boogie woogie/barrelhouse playing on the latter half of "You Never Give Me Your Money" that, if it was Paul, was pretty impressive.

Keep in mind that it's not John on the whole "Imagine" album. Nicky Hopkins was on pretty much the whole album except for the title track and "It's So Hard." He was, of course, the keyboardist on "Revolution" as well.

I think John could play chords and accompany himself on a song, but Paul had more technical facility. I think Paul absorbed a little bit of what Hopkins and Billy Preston did, but he was also a Fats Domino and Little Richard fan.

I like John's piano in 'Jealous Guy'--not complex, but very nice.

Well I can't give my opinion without being a bit biased, but I'd say Paul. Although I do love John's elbow-style at Shea Stadium!

paul b/c he made yesterday from a dream than played on the piano.. but paul his dad was a jazz person and he learned from him!!

Originally Posted by feelfab

I like John's piano in 'Jealous Guy'--not complex, but very nice.

Nicky Hopkins plays piano on that song. John plays acoustic guitar, sings and hums.

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Nicky Hopkins plays piano on that song. John plays acoustic guitar, sings and hums.

Funny you should mention Nicky Hopkins, I'm listening to Sympathy for the Devil and Nicky's piano is "heavenly"