thekeytarpage

the Keytar Page

An entire page devoted to the Keytar or "Shoulder Keyboard"

Historical

Keytar is the name given to a musical keyboard syntheziser fashioned in the shape of a guitar. The Keytar is also mentioned as the shoulder keyboard, synth-guitar or stomach syntheziser. The instrument is carried with a strap like a guitar so that it can be played on stage and does not limit the keyboardplayer to being stationary as conventional keyboardplayers are.

Originally the creation of guitarist Steve Masakowski, the keytar was commercially introduced in 1978 as the "Moog Liberation". The Moog Liberation was the first commercially produced synthesizer in a Keytar format; that is, a keyboard instrument designed to be worn on a strap like a guitar.

Keytars were made popular in the 1980´s by hair bands, synthpop and New Wave groups. Changing trends in music diminished the keytar's popularity shortly thereafter. However, the instrument has recently made a bit of a comeback.

Musicians that used keytars

Robert Wells

Eddie Van Halen

Donald Fagen of Steely Dan

Mute Math

Jan Hammer

Jeffrey Abbott

Wang Chung

Chick Corea

David Crowder

Showbread

Devo