Keyboard player here, posted on this thread a few years back. My perspective has changed since then.
Since demand greatly exceeds supply, I -- as a reasonably proficient keyboard dude -- can afford to be somewhat selective when joining with others. If your gang doesn't have their act together, I'm not going to wait around in the vain hope that someday it might improve.
I'd like to echo the earlier comments that becoming proficient on keyboards can be relatively hard, takes a lot of time, and a lot of money. Contrary to popular perception, a proficient keyboard player has to be proficient on multiple instruments, each of which just happens to have black and white keys.
In addition to nailing acoustic piano and electric piano literature, I have to bring decent B3 organ technique, not to mention clavs, sampled horns, accordion, synths, etc. Each of these requires a different approach to technique, phrasing, chording, etc. A good piano player doesn't make for a good organ player doesn't make for a good synth player.
It takes a while to learn it all.
And the entry fees can be quite high.
I play with a weighted stage piano below, and an unweighted board above. Decent examples of both will set you back at least $4K, maybe more. Keyboards -- especially acoustic pianos -- are notoriously difficult to amplify, so bring on a pair of self-powered PA cabs. Another $1.5k. Stand, seat, mixer, cables, pedals -- you easily can drop $6k into a keyboard rig, and still think of it as your "starter" setup.
And you have to bring it all with you everywhere you go: gigs, rehearsals, etc. There is no "small" version. Wear and tear is an issue as well. Beer spills, rain, dust, etc. are not our friends.
Me and the drummer have similar amounts of equipment. It takes me at least 20 minutes to set up, and another 20 minutes to break down. Not to mention a large-ish vehicle to haul it all around with. So, yeah, when I agree to show up to play, it's a substantial investment in time and money. If it isn't fun, I won't be doing it for long.
Love the two bands that I'm currently in (most of the time, that is), but have checked out many dozens of "keyboard wanted" situations over the years. Almost all have been non-starters.
Some big turn-offs to avoid?
- Poor musicianship and lack of skills. Hey, we're all getting better, but if you're painful to listen to ...
- No ears for what others are playing. It's a band, not a bunch of guys with instruments in their hands.
- Insisting that I "be committed" and have no other music projects that could potentially compete. Yeah, right.
- Unwillingness to take feedback from others, being defensive, etc. You'll never get better that way.
- General flakiness. Being intoxicated when playing. Too much drama.
- Musical dictators. Unless you're paying me real $$$, which you're not.
I know a few other keyboard folks who are also proficient, and they tend to share similar perspectives.
That being said, having a decent keyboard player in your band really makes your sound stand out from all the guitar-grinding bands on the bar circuit. You now have a much wider palette of songs to choose from. You'll find it easier to attract a female vocalist if that's your goal. The entire sound gets bigger, fatter and richer.
Even if all you play is basic blues.
We may be pains in the butt, but we're worth it