Don, I agree...You ready to go shopping?

Hi,
bit off topic, but
some of the best keyboard music I've got are some of my old Yamaha files. Admittedly they're designed for backing piano, not singing. Some of the tunes wouldn't sound anywhere near as good if played with a style. Some I'm not sure if i'd even find a style to suit.

I imagine there's pro's & con's for both types of backing, midifile or style.

best wishes
Rikki

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 05-08-2006).]

AMEN!!! We all do what we do the way we do it because it works for us as individuals.... If what we are doing isn't working, we aren't either...
T.

Every time I see midi files mentioned on here it makes me laugh. I can't understand why anyone would spend loads of money on a top end arranger (even the G1000 was expensive when it came out, I still have mine) just to have it play some bog standard poor sounding midi file - yep they all sound poor quality. If you have the money to buy a top end arranger then learn how to play the thing without resorting to disks or sequencing. Leave the midi files to those who can't play/learners and other cheaters out there who fob their audience off every night by pretending it's them that's playing when all they're doing is either miming or just playing the lead line if they can. I can go to at least 4 local venues and see someone miming away, it's sad.
Well that's my opinion so feel free to poke me with a stick
By the way Scott, playing live will always win, you get no feeling out of a SMF!

Craig..you miss the point big time..Of course we get more pleasure individually, playing in arranger mode...better yet, turn off the auto play and play like a player..left hand bass and strong right hand play..along with the drum machine feature..
BTW , arranger mode is not much more skill than playing with a SMF..to some extent it is less skill..Think of the Smf as the band..you follow what the band is doing..
Arranger play is a little easier..the arranger follows your mistakes[the whole band makes mistakes at the same time]..

Now why we use SMF in certain venues?
You can't work the AC casinos and high roller parties with material that doesn't sound like the record...No matter how good you think you are on an arranger ..you will flop in this venue.

Most of the arranger players play basic chords with the left hand and struggle with melody lines in the right hand..let alone comping with the right...These same people could not play with a SMF..so where is the lack of skill playing over SMF's..

Don't get me wrong, I love arranger keyboards, I will always own one[probably the G1000 for ever]...And we have arranger players here that are masters...Don Mason, Donny Pesce, Dave Boyd, Joe[Song55] and others that are strong players and vocals..Others like Manuel that can handle arrangers the right way..There are many here that post that I have never heard, so don't be slighted if I didn't acknowledge you.

Basically I am saying there is a need for all methods, and knocking one method, especially if you are not aware of certain venues..is just wrong.
And as for quality..there are SMF's that you can't tell from 'Live" or like the record...A good sound system also aids the quality..

Actually, I've been doing a little shopping lately. More to come.
DonM

How was the experience of;

A) Playing along with the SMF with some Instr. muted?
Any tips?

The idea is to play on top of the SMF so we can use the horn and some of the other tracks

As for all this other stuff... WHATEVA gets the job done! Except if you are talking about someone PRETENDING to play... that's just BS imho. But I and my audiences have no problem if I play on top of the MIDI file... just like they don't care if I use a Harmonizer... whatever sounds good and gets 'em dancin!

I thought the whole point is that we are entertainers and regardless of how we do it, we are here to make the crowd happy and have fun, if it's a midi file, arranger, mp3, tap dance, stip tease, as long as the crowd is having fun and enjoying themselves we have done our jobs,

If people were hiring us because of our strictly musical talents, me especially we have allot less work, but knowing what people want and going that way is smart,.

If you do a 50's medly ballad, an arranger can do it no problem, but when songs have a signature type of sound and the keybaord doesn't have that style,. what do you do,?

Depending on your gig, people may be paying to hear your interpratation of that song, or the closet you can get to the recording.

If midi file playback was not to be used, why is there so much technology dedicated to it in these keyboards?

Today is my day to reflect.

Anyway good playing everyone, kiss and make up

While most of my work is solo or duo, I have used SMFs with a larger group ... Just mute the parts you don't want ...
The best tip I can give is PRACTICE, with the whole group so that everyone is thoroughly familiar with the file ...
t.