Interesting points you make Clif. I agree that having 76 (or even 88) is definitely preferable over 61 keys. There are certainly a number of solo piano (pianistic) limitations when there are less keys at your disposal, but I feel that when playing the keyboard in arranger "auto accompaniment" style that 61 keys are (abeit minimally) sufficient.

Clif, I actually play both in "full keyboard mode" and "split keyboard mode" depending on the song and style I want to achieve.

I am able to play and voice all my "left hand" (split keyboard mode) chords within a two octave (usually just 1-1/2 octaves) range. For the B7 chord you mentioned, play that in the first inversion (D#-F#-A-B) which will allow you to play farther to the left of the keyboard and also give you a tighter closed voicing. If you utilize all chord voicing inversions, you should not have to use more than an octave and a half to cover all the chord progressions in any given song. One important key to attaining a professional sound is to move minimally (changing (moving) only one or two voices(fingers)) to affect a harmonic chord change. This is referred to as "smooth voice leading". An example of this in the context of the B7 chord you presented: standard IIm7 - V7 - I major pop progression: F#m7 - B7 - E major.

Voice F#m7: D#-F#-A-C#
Voice B7 : D#-F#-A-B (move only one finger)
Voice EMaj: E -G# -B

Clif, I realize that you like to use the Yamaha mode where different chord inversions played trigger different auto accomp patterns to be played. Still, I suggest that you play your chord progressions in a way to achieve "smooth voicing leading" (utilizing chord inversions to move hand/fingers minimally). This will most achieve the professional sounding chord progression results we are all after.

One final note regarding 76 note keyboards which I also mentioned on another thread:
Because 76 note keyboards are longer, it is more awkward to transport because of its' greater length. Also, some keyboards have the majority of it's weight focussed at "one end" of the keyboard which makes it even more awkward to carry.

Scott

PS: I'm curious to find out "what" songs (Judy Collins?) you are not able to play (because of insuficient keyboard range?) on your 61 note arranger board. What is the highest and lowest melodic note on these specific songs?

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 11-07-2000).]