Hi Scott, thanks for you input, but I am not sure I follow you. The reason I play in the mode that distinguishes inversions is to allow smoother transitions during chord sequences. I am imitating the walking base style of guitar picking that I use. Sometimes that means playing a B7 with B as the lowest note. That is why 1.5 octaves is not enough. If I did not care about the chord transitions, then I could pick the inversion that fit the split.

I wish the keyboard manufacturers would heed your complaints about size and weight. My excellent Roland A-50 76-key with polyaftertouch weighs less than 25 pounds. Of course, it does not make sounds, but the electronics should not add that much to the weight. As to length, see how the 76 key Fatars and Alesis 7.1 (same keyboard) are designed without controls to the left. The length of these is comparable to a 61-key arranger. Another alternative is Kurzweil's portable piano which saving space and mechanical problems with with ribbon controllers. Unfortunately, Yamaha has elected to add a lot of unnecessary volume to its PSR9000Pro.

One configuration I would like to see is the organ dual-manual used for portable arrangers. Two 4-octave keyboards, one on top of the other, but again without a lot of controls to the side. There could be a lot of uses for this design. The lower half could be autoaccompaniment, while the top lead. Also, the keybaord could be used for microtonal applications, with one manual tuned 1/4 tone from the other. Or one level could be used for percussion, or to trigger things.

For a light-weight 76-key system, using available products, how about a Fatar 76-key board with a Solton X4 module? Of course, it is in two pieces, but it should not be hard to carry.

Whether or not I end up buying one, I think the 76-key arrangersa are good news for all of us. I think they will help overcome the prejudices facing arrangers. I also think it is great that the market is developing to the point where an arranger is presented in multiple form factors.

The follow Judy Collins songs as written do not fit 61 keys--
Hard Lovin' Loser
Marat/Sade
Michael from Mountains
Both Sides Now
Bird on the Wire
Pity the Poor Immigrant (Bb-2 to Eb3)
My Father (Bb-2 to Bb3)

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