11 Heaviest Keyboard Riffs Ever | Dream Theater Keyboardist Jordan Rudess' Picks

In the prog-metal world, it’s nearly impossible to think of keyboards without thinking of Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess. With his virtuosic talent in mind, we asked Rudess to pick the 11 heaviest keyboard riffs of all time, and he delivered in spades. Watch above as he gives us a history lesson in heavy with classical crushers such as Beethoven’s “Sonata Pathétique” to the proto-metal key smashing of Jon Lord on Deep Purple’s “Hush.” Be sure to let us know your picks for heavy keyboard riffs in the comments!

Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License

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#dreamtheater #jordanrudess #keyboard #piano #pianomusic #progressiverock #progrock #progmetal #progressivemetal #johnpetrucci #mikeportnoy #classical #composer #beethoven #rachmaninoff #emersonlakeandpalmer #yes #genesis #deeppurple #edgarwinter #chopin #grieg #uriahheep #bach

[waverlyking]

Keith Emerson was heavier than a lot of metal guitarists.

[JayMaverick]

What a nice young man. I'm sure his band will be a great success.

[heinhein]

God that pipe organ part from Close to the Edge blew me when i first heard it and still gives goosebump : a real masterpiece

[jpslaym]

I was standing in long line at security waiting to fly out of LAX about 5 or 6 years back not exactly enjoying myself when I heard a very talented individual skillfully and tastefully tickling the keys of a white Grand Piano that is for some reason stationed on second floor landing overlooking the international departures airline ticket offices. The pianist played a number of renditions of popular music from 70s-90s along with some classical shorts. He stopped a couple times between pieces and was greeted by rounds of applause from the mass humanity moving past him at the piano. As a huge DT fan from the release of their very first single "Pull Me Under" in the 90s I almost immediately thought I recognized the fluid technique and his distinctive crescendos and dynamic tempo changes. Of course, it was the greatest Rock and Progressive Metal keyboardist of all time; Jordan Rudess.

[toddwilliams]

When it comes to Jon Lord, the opening to "Perfect Strangers" is heavy personified
Remember: D minor is the saddest key of them all

[JL-weun]

I'd like to honorably mention Tom Scholz on keyboards on Boston's Foreplay / Long Time. The first 90 seconds is pretty heavy and I must've listened to it hundreds of times.

[Jin.Yoon.]

I'm so glad that he chose Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Bach.

[AtomizedSound]

One of the greatest keyboardists of our time!

[felipeleao]

So glad he mentioned Grieg. Lots of people forget how genius he was!

[honjon]

That organ section in Close to the Edge, I remember listening to the Yessongs version on mushrooms when I was 17 or so. I felt like those chords were ripping my body apart. Such an intense part juxtaposed to the soft moody vocals of Jon. I love Yes so much. So glad Jordan chose this particular section.

[BlackDeej]

Chopin's 'Funeral March' = death metal, man is that some good irony right there - plus some great music too 🙂

[YouLikeBosch]

I always wondered just how prodigious Rudess was as a child, and I didn't know he was in a commercial as a kid. I guess that's my answer - that's generational talent.

[JanneOksanen]

Two really pieces that come to my mind are Perfect Strangers and Mr. Crowley

[Selkirk]

Grieg, Stravinski, Tchaikovsky, and Chopin. My mom was a concert pianist and had performed in Canada a number of times as she was considered comparable to Gould, so I listened to Chopin being played more than anyone and love his works to this day.

[thosava]

I’m almost 40 years younger than him, and Tarkus blew my mind too.

[pedrocastelhano]

Awesome picks. When it comes to heaviness in classical music I really dig the opening section in Tchaikovksy's piano concerto no 1.

[martinr]

Tarkus is constantly playing in my head, Keith Emerson was a genius !

[ckatheman]

I’m shocked, when I looked at the title, only one song came to mind, Boston - Foreplay. I was surprised it wasn’t on the list. That song blew me away and was my inspiration to start playing.

[pinkled]

A lot if keyboard work by John Paul Jones in Led Zeppelin is amazing.
Such as the parts from the song Friends, Misty Mountain Top, Kashmir, etc

[Briansgate]

Emerson Lake and Palmer, were great. when Powell came in and brought in Touch and Go, that blew me away!