My experiences have not been very successful when trying to use my Tyros...in arranger mode...with my quartet.

No matter what my drummer plays, the double drums muddy up the low end. Even by playing an extremely cleaned out, scaled back part-it still produces a poor outcome.

Using a live bass player hasn't worked well either, IMO. Doubling the Tyros bass part makes no sense...mutig the tyros bass part leaves the bottom open for a live bass player, but they need to learn the actual style used for every song...Which takes a substantial amount of time and effort. Not very time effective and you still don't get the range of quality bass sounds as the Tyros provides.

One instrument that does interphase well has been my sax/clarinet/flute player. This has not been trouble free, however. At first, the sax guy tried to play over the Tyros backing, which was awful. The outcome was a muddied, cluttered trainwreck. The solution that did prove to be successful was having Tom lay out entirely...then only play in the solo spots. He's had some progress when using his flute over the Tyros styles...but only modestly so.

Therefore, at the end of the day, I am simply booking myself more and more as a solo artist. The clients are very satisfied, keeping the dance floor packed all night is not difficult at all. Plus, the financial aspects are favorable to all parties.

Let me make this clear...I love playing with my band. The other 3 members are all vets who have played well over 25 years each. Two are retired USAF band members. However, given the style of music the band plays...it makes no sense for me to try and combine both at this time. The two are best kept separate.

As I look into the future...I fully expect to see the band eventually come to an end. I am 44...my other members are 39,48 and 53. I'd guess that within 5 years or so, I may be playing only solos and some duos. The band has and is one of the more popular dance bands in the Dayton, OH area...but the audience is getting smaller each year due to aging issues. There may always be an audience for ballroom type bands...but as the natural attrition continues...there will be less and less demand for a band like mine.

My solo act is skewed at a younger audience...that said, I easily can cover the oldest members tastes in any venue as well as a solo performer. The use of an arranger, the Tyros, gives me unprecedented freedom and flexibility.

Given the precision, consistency amd quality of the arranger, I only wish I'd hopped onto the arranger train a long time ago.

Bill in Dayton



[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 03-20-2005).]