Hi Gang, I've been reading the forum now for some time,just decided to bite the bullet and sign up so I can get my two cents in.

I've been playing the saxaphone around Baltimore for about 40 years. I've pittled with keyboard off and on during that time. I had one of the first DX7's to hit the market and than a DX711 and several differant moduals. I had just developed a fare left hand when I discoverd the psr 8000. I fooled with that for a time than perchased TY1 and started doing the nursing home circuit.

I met Bob Lee and Gary Diamond who live near me, we became friends and work a lot of the same venues and cover each other from time to time.

I am now the proud owner of 2 Ty2s. Sorry Fran! but as you can see I've always been a Yahama guy.

Jim

Jim, as a former Ty1 owner too, I know you're going to appreciate the many new & enhanced features of Tyros2. Enjoy. - Scott

Hey Jim, I also was one of the first DX7 buyers in my area..

I also have owned many Yamaha keyboards and modules..

I wish you success and happiness with your new board..

Thanks Scott & Fran.
I've had my first T2 for almost a year, just got the second one this week for backup.

Bob Lee had a problem with his and it was in the shop for about 6 weeks. He used my T1 untill he got his back. I realy need to have a backup. I have a regular Thursday night gig at a tike bar and some club dates as well 15 or so day gigs, so I could lose a few bucks if my board went down.

Regards JIm

$3500+ for a backup sounds a little excessive... (IMO)

Why not use the one T2 to prepare audio files of your song repertoire, and use an inexpensive anything to lay down live parts at the gig if your T2 wigs out... A CD player or iPod is a LOT cheaper than a T2 (and let's face it, how often do you think it's going to crap out on you?)...

And if you GOTS to have an arranger backup, maybe save a few dollars and get an S900...

Still, must be nice to be making those incredible nursing home dollars and have two of everything!

Well, nothing says WELCOME like a little well-placed sarcasm. Shouldn't we at least let the guy get his feet wet before we drown him? JMO.

chas

PS: Diki, you know I'm a big fan, but sometimes you just gotta sheath that sword.

I also gig several times a week with my Tyros2, but have to concur with Diki on this one.

It doesn't make business sense to buy two of ANY keyboard, especially one that's expensive. Remember, there's equal chance the PA or mic might blow, the keyboard stand might collapse, or the gig venue power fuses blow. Does that mean we should buy TWO of all those as well, and how does that solve the problem if it happens ON the gig? I'm certainly not going to transport EVERYTHING in duplicate to every gig.

I think flexibility is what's really called for. Though (in nearly 2 years) I've not experienced a Tyros2 breakdown, I've still got my core backing tracks stored on my iPod allowing me to simply take my old Roland A33 controler & Alesis piano sound module if if that scenario ever comes up. That said, because of my own absent mindedness on the very rare occasion of simply forgetting to bring a key component (aka: KB/PA power cord, cable, etc) to the gig, I've had to simply play the acoustic piano, yet still gave the audience a very good time. In our excitement about the latest keyboards & features, let's not lose track of this fact: It's really about what we're able to deliver & entertain from our heart, and less about the actual keyboard/instrument used. - Scott

Hi Jim,

Welcome to the forum.

It takes a special kind of performer to play nursing homes...I commend you.

Having a spare keyboard is handy when you gig a lot...especially if one ever needs a few days in the shop.

You are wise.

Ian

Diki,

Nursing homes, assisted living centers, retirement communities, etc., pay from $100 to $125 an hour, and a few pay $150 an hour in this part of the world. That's one heck of a lot more than the average nite-club, bar and upscale restaurant pay in most areas of the U.S.. Those of us that have been in this business for a considerable number of years are more than happy to give the smoke-filled, low-paying bars, etc.. to the youngsters that don't mind working all night for the same amount of money we get for an hours work. And, the referals from the nursing homes for high paying private parties is outstanding.

We have a great group of performers in the mid-Atlantic region, many of which are more than willing to help each other out when things go awry. We frequently refer each other to new venues, and have no problem loaning our backup equipment to friends in need. Backup gear is very important to those of us who perform daily for a living. Just think of how much money you would loose if your keyboard was sitting in a repair facility for 6 weeks or more, then the cost of a backup seems miniscule.

Jim is an excellent performer, can really make his sax wail, and his keyboard skills are second to none. I am proud to have him as a friend.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary ......right on all counts!

and substantially MORE in my area , especially if what you deliver stands out above the local entertainment competition.

Welcome Jim:

In Chicago, I make $100-$200 at nursing and retirement homes, with $140 being my average. If one can get 10-12 shows a week including an occasional senior center, library, or private party, that's a decent buck.

Nevertheless, I'm not so much in the chips that I would buy two Tyros 2's. Two PSR-S900's are enough for me. Once you are used to having two of the same keyboard - one in your studio to practice and tweak files, and one in your vehicle - there is no going back. Even though there were times when my PSR3000s were in the shop that I wished that had owned three of them!

Beakybird

Sound more like jealousy to me...

I'll probably start doing them when I'm a bit older and fit in (plus they'll want to hear seventies stuff by them!) but for now, I don't mind playing the regular venues for the pittance I get.

After all, it's all about the MUSIC, isn't it, guys?

Scott what does a top dog pro like yourself get in your area for a 1hr show?

Diki, hmmm I had thought we were fairly close in age. Nonetheless, don't under estimate the satisfaction of performing for seniors. Most I play for weren't that old in the 70's so recognize & appreciate many tunes from that golden era, as long as it isn't acid hard rock. They also appreciate younger entertainers who can play & appreciate the stuff they like and to hear more current material as well . . . afterall, they watch TV, and are exposed to current music thru their grandkids, so playing current songs keeps helps them feel like their keeping up with current trends. - Scott


Donny, I'm rather surprised to get this question from you, of all people here, especially because I realize you're perhaps the leading advocate of not divulging business or $ rates here. That said, a nursing home & retirement community pay scale will vary greatly depending on clientle and level of service (ranging from medicare subsidized to the wealthiest private institutions). Some are even able to feature top tier Vegas/Broadway entertainment stars, so pay is always commensurate to budget and clientle entertainment level demand. - Scott

Well, Scott, I realize that things are not ENTIRELY standards driven at nursing homes, but you probably have to admit it is the meat of the repertoire for those venues. And not that I mind playing that kind of material (far from it, in fact, I might investigate the area just to get to play that stuff from time to time), but my tastes run quite a range (probably more than they'd like!) and on the whole, I think I prefer playing to people younger than me, not older! (I'm a very young 51!).

I still work primarily with younger acts in the studio, and just feel I have a little more to offer the younger listener (at least, younger than nursing homes!), that's all.

Plus, I live in a VERY small town, that is resort orientated. My area of Florida isn't as much of a retirement community as places further south, so the market is tighter, and harder to get the doubles and triples that make it so financially rewarding to those that work it. A nice metropolitan area probably has dozens of upscale retirement homes, but they are scarce around here...

I have NO problem with any that do make a living doing those gigs, more strength to you all, say I... It's just that I don't see myself there for a while, yet!

I wonder what retirement gigs will be like in twenty years...? 'Play 'Cop Killer' one more time, sonny!' 'Do you know 'I want to sex you up'?' 'Play that Beastie Boys medley one more time, bi-atchhh!'

aha: so you, Uncle Dave, and Donny Pesce are all nearly the SAME age. I'm out-numbered!



No different than today I assume, probably leaning most heavily on 'today's' current Billboard adult contemporary hits:

Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Top Ten Hits for the week of 9/1/07

Scott