Just give me a decent piano.

Or a B3.

Old School.

I've never used an auto-accompaniment keyboard at a live gig, but do use Band in a Box and have used several different auto-accompaniment keyboards in the studio to create backing tracks and the like for commercials, jingles and industrial musics. That's only because it is difficult to find - and sometimes PAY - good studio musicians around here, though.

I actually find it more difficult to get accustomed to "only" using the LH to punch a triad or extension chord. Have to keep that in the mind as the song unfolds or I'm likely to revert to one of the LH devices or rhythms only to discover awkwardly that the auto-accompaniment 'board don't like that (grin).

In my view, there is nothing like the sound of a good unaccompanied pianist or organist.

I do caution those who view the modern auto-accompaniment keyboard as a crutch to avoid the kind of practice it takes to be able to play a standard keyboard, but doubt that most actually heed that advice. But I'm convinced that someone who works out on the piano daily will be able to bring a lot more to the table on the gig, auto-accompaniment or not.


--Mac