THE ROLE OF SOUND DESIGN IN POP KEYBOARD PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Sound design in contemporary pop keyboard performance is an integral part of artistic interpretation. Its implementationshapes the sonic palette of a performance, determines stylistic and emotional nuances, and significantly expandsthe performer’s expressive capabilities.Relevance of the study is driven by the significant expansion of the performer’s functions in 21st-century pop musicand the growing role of technology in shaping musical imagery. Sound design, as an integral part of live keyboardperformance, requires academic reflection, as it encompasses not only the technical processing of sound but alsothe creative construction of the musical space. In modern stage practice, the keyboardist increasingly acts not only as an interpreter of the written score but also as an active creator of the acoustic environment, demanding a new approach to performance studies.The purpose of this article is to determine the functional role of sound design in the field of pop keyboard performance,to explore its impact on artistic interpretation, to analyze the technical and creative methods used by contemporary musicians during live performances, and to justify the integration of sound design into educational and scholarly contexts.The research methodology combines historical-analytical, comparative, and structural-functional approaches.The article analyzes performances by well-known keyboardists such as Chick Corea, Jordan Rudess, Greg Phillinganes,and incorporates materials from interviews, studio transcriptions, live shows, and sound engineering practices. Special attention is given to techniques such as layering, automation, morphing, granular synthesis, sampling, and sidechain compression.The scientific novelty lies in the fact that for the first time in Ukrainian musicology, sound design is systematicallyanalyzed as a tool for shaping performance interpretation in the context of the pop stage. The study substantiates the relevance of considering sound design not merely as a technical tool, but as an artistic component of musical creativity.The concept of the «keyboardist-sound designer» is proposed as a new professional model.Conclusions. Sound design in contemporary pop keyboard performance plays a key role in creating an individual musical expression. Its application expands the boundaries of artistic interpretation, enables the adaptation of music to diverse acoustic and emotional settings, and establishes new principles of stage interaction between musician and audience.The results of this study may be useful in music education – especially in designing curricula for keyboardists – and serve as a foundation for further interdisciplinary research at the intersection of musical art and advanced technologies.