I just came from seeing the Budesa brothers. Rich Budesa played a Roland AX7 – 45 keys. He played the bass line all night on what I would guess was a 2 octave split, which left him with about 21 keys and he did some pretty amazing stuff with that short board. Half of the audience members were musicians who were really digging this guy.
Donny, I know they do a night-a-week in Vineland and a night at Tomatoes in Margate. I don’t know if any of those bergs are in your neighborhood, if so, they’re certainly worth a listen.
Ciao,
Jerry

Fran,
You may already know that Phillythroughmyear (phillythroughmyear.com/budesa) is actor Will Smith's dad as well as the producer for the Budesa Brothers' CD's.
Ciao,
Jerry

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-03-2008).]

Just a test....

Can't post pics any more!!!

Make a living from playing the verse to 'One Note Samba', and you could use a one note keyboard, too!

Look, I've got a Yamaha KX5. It's a GREAT keyboard, and I play it out a LOT (hooked to a Roland M GS-64). It's my favorite axe to go and sit in with other bands. Takes up NO room on stage, is VERY expressive (there are things you can do only with a pitch strip that are unbelievably authentic), and the short range actually stops me from playing too much (always a good thing when you sit in!) while I have fun being able to actually MOVE around the stage and interact with the band or the crowd.

I have also done band gigs on it exclusively (a casino where there was NO room for a keyboard of ANY size!) for several months. Having a GREAT guitar player is a definite plus when this occurs

So, as you can see, using a smaller keyboard than a 76 is no problem. BUT... Why restrict yourself if you don't HAVE to?

Look, I've got an easy test for all you out there. Take a towel, and cover up the top two octaves of your arranger. How long can you happily play, without pulling it off the keys? Go do a gig like that. You know you COULD do it, don't you? But do you WANT to?

Well, those of us with 76's feel the same way about 61's. I know I COULD use one (I've used much smaller, under the right circumstances). But I don't want to for regular gigs, any more than you all want to play with a towel over the top two octaves...

RTFD Fran!




------------------
Travlin' Easy



[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 04-03-2008).]

A keytar?

Promoting keytars is hazardous and brash. It not only harms keyboard players, but also their relatives and acquaintances.

Furthermore , I suggest that we form a 'keytar watch list' to keep track of the hazardous, blithering individuals who favor them.

Name #1: Diki Ross.


Ian

PS...there's always the Melodica?

Naaaaa...that's not cool either.




[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 04-03-2008).]

Not cool...? Here's a partial list of Melodica players. Think you could hang with ANY of them?

Augustus Pablo (dub reggae star)
Ian Curtis of Joy Division
Rick Davies of Supertramp
Donald Fagen of Steely Dan
Ben Folds
Alison Goldfrapp of Goldfrapp
Martin Gore of Depeche Mode
Albert Hammond, Jr.
Mark Hart of Crowded House
Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay
John Helliwell of Supertramp
Kyle Hollingsworth of the String Cheese Incident
The Hooters take their name from "the hooter," a nickname for the melodica that is present in many of their songs.
Joe Jackson
Jon King of Gang of Four
Paul McCartney
John Medeski of Medeski, Martin, and Wood
Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo was the only member of the Ohio musician's union to list his primary instrument as the melodica.
Bernard Sumner of Joy Division and New Order
Jonathan Batiste
Stevie Wonder
Bernie Worrell of Parliament/Funkadelic

Now THAT'S a list of 'cool'...

Guess how many of them play the S900 (or a G70!)?

And don't make me print a list of keytar users. That would be TOO embarrassing for you, Ian.

But let me just drop ONE name...

Jan Hammer

'Nuff said...

Just funnin' with you, Diki...you're soooo serious lately.

I used to own three Melodicas...two of the old metal ones with the buttons, a tenor and a soprano, and a newer tenor...one with the real keys.

Start smilin'...you're gonna hurt yourself with all that anxiety.

You need a few months in a place like Cape Breton Island...much calmer here...laid back...peaceful.

I'll even put on a pot of tea for you.

Ian

Just funning with you, too, Ian (I thought the emoticons made everything clear )

Sorry, I'll have to pass on the tea... can't stand the stuff (it's why I got deported from England - it's mandatory over there!)...

BTW, come on down here... Spring Break makes the beaches look SO much better (if that is possible... Google Destin and marvel at the blindingly white beaches and emerald water). Pretty peaceful down here, too, y'know...