Hi Gary,

No, but the key word you used was: 'entertainer'. You don't need to have much (or any at all) musicial ability to succeed as an entertainer, but one's musical ability is used to measure one's talent as a 'musician'.

Interesting note: In the music biz, singers are never referred to as musicians, unless they play an instrument other than their voice.

Scott

You hit the right spot, Gary. From an "entertainment act" point of view you can do whatever you want (with tools or without them) to entertain your crowd. I know guys that make a living from telling jokes in front of an audience. Their "tool" is just their talent to keep people "well entertained". So, I agree that in show biz (entertainement), the tool is not what makes a quality act. I am ready to recognize, without preconception, quality in a play along act (or in any act, really).

Now, those who say that "it's just show biz", should be ready to accept that an employer decides to hire a karaoke guy or a DJ instead of a live or "live" musician. The employer is just looking for entertainment and he may prefer to have something that works (some don't even know to distinguish quality). Seems fair to me, and I won't be shocked if I find out that I'm better entertained by a DJ or a karaoke session than by a bad quality "live music" act.

In spite of finding here a lot of useful information about ENTERTAINMENT, my main specific interest in coming here is the arranger keyboard playing techniques. And here I have to agree with Scott. There is little discussion about this subject, but it is crucial to the issue of whether playing with styles is boring (repetitive) or not. Watch the hands of a fine arranger keyboardist (like Michael Voncken, for example). The overall sound is awsome and it's not a hazard, but the result of a combination of musical skills, knowledge of the instrument features and specific arranger keyboard techniques (fills, fingering, mastering the use of the keyboard features, etc). Watching carefully the hands of a good arranger keyboardist, one can notice a lot of subtle things going on. They are VERY important in the overall sound. That's why we many times recognize that some players make any keyboard sound good.

Unfortunately I don't have the talent nor the time to improve my playing technique as I would like to, but I feel that the route for me is much more to improve my music skills and the arranger playing techniques, than buying new keyboards. The keyboard that I presently own has (about) all the features I need (for my level); all I need now is to learn more and to practice more. So, like Scott, I believe playing with styles can be closer to a live performance and are not repetitive if the player is a good musician and has a well developed technique. I also share his hope that we discuss more about specific arranger keyboard playing techniques.

-- José.

[This message has been edited by Route 66 (edited 02-25-2004).]

Something else to throw into the mix....very often I will record a SMf using a style on the arranger.....then afterwards record some add on tracks to the SMF song....now I have a HYBRID backing track... a bit of both methods..
plus I play along & sing with that!!
this was incorporated on some of my tunes on my latest CD, very effective

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www.donnypesce.com

Gary, you must be doing something right, to give out a couple hundred cards..I can't even imagine that happening to me[maybe a couple dozen]..The only 1200 plus parties I play are "High roller" parties for A.C. casinos.

Haven't we had enough of all the old tired arguments about smf v. 'live' performances (I'm with you Gary - entertain 'em, any way up. The only time I'll use an smf is for those throwaway 'pop' tunes that are only good for their fifteen minutes of shelf life).

Anyway, the one thing that came across to me from Scott's excellent video was this: Scott, ya gotta SMILE and get the eye-contact going with the crowd. It may be a little unfair, given that these were selected clips from the show, and we only see a couple of minutes worth, but for the most part you seemed almost to be on autopilot.

Hmmm, interesting you say this, because smiling, eye contact, and friendly interaction with the crowd is perhaps one of my performance assets best remembered by my audiences, so I was kinda surprised to hear this.



Auto Pilot? I didn'think that, though because of the continous drum/firecracker distractions, especially on the second clip, I really had to 'maintain focus' on the music in that segment.

Anyway Renig, perhaps you can now post a video of one of your own 'live performances' to demonstrate & show just how 'you' present your music.

Ok guys, I've now 'delivered the goods', fullfilling Donny Pesce's request that I both record and post a video clip of one my gig performances. I now 'toss back' the SAME challenge request to: Donny, Uncle Dave, Fran, Gary Diamond, Don Mason, Jim Eshleman, Jose Mathias, Ziggy, Eddie Shoemaker, Dirk Baert, Roel deJonge, Renig, and all other Synthzone professional arranger keyboard performer members here, to do the same thing. It would be highly informative, as well as entertaining, to both see & hear how your act 'looks' and 'sounds' live. Afterall, as confuscious says , a video reveals more than even ten thousand words can.

Ok, so who's 'NEXT UP' here to take on the video 'challenge'?

- Scott

Fran--You gotta' schmooze more--that's why I give out lots of cards. I only do about a couple jobs of year with 1,000 or more people, and obviously the norm is considerably less. But, I still put out lots of cards at some corporate parties I play with just 50 to 100 people. During short breaks, with a lengthy midi file playing, I'll go through the crowd, shake hands with people I've never seen in my life, and hand out cards to everyone in the place--it's just good business. Also, it usually results in booking a couple jobs later on. Being your own public relations manager is also a major part of this business as well. Cmon'--schmooze a little--it's fun and profitable.

Cheers,

Gary

You Bet Gary!!!......Thats the Ticket!!

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www.donnypesce.com

Scott....I personaly enjoyed the video mucho my friend. Critisizm of your stage presence was never an issue with me watching it, I wish there was more..
I noticed a little stank in your reply which I could understand from some of the replies. Without being there at the Chinese Festival, in front of a super mixed audience, under adverse distracting diversions, no one can tell what it was like for you as a performer on stage.
With your vast experience as a Pro I know you did your best up there regardless of what anyone thinks. We are all different, we act different, we feel & perform music differently then each other. But however you do it ...make it come from the heart and you better make it sound and look professional to the audience. Scott I know you have that unique ability to do this night after night.....and for that you should always be Proud!!!

Donny

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www.donnypesce.com

This is one good approach (but definitely not the only road) to being a successful entertainer/musician, as there is really no 'one' RIGHT performance style to success. Whether you're cool & reserved, or actively gregarious & in your face, it's most IMPORTANT to 'be yourself'. When you do this, you'll quickly garner your own loyal following (audience) who will appreciate your brand of music, and love you for who YOU are. I've attend many a concert where the performer seemed reserved & introspective, but the minute they began playing & singing, they light up the room. Schmoozing with the audience is just one style/brand of entertaining. I've believe the most important thing for all of us to do, both on/off stage is to be ourself, as audiences can spot a phoney a mile away. As far as business cards go, I myself don't actively hand them out, but they are available if/when they ask me for one, of which routinely occurs on nearly every gig. - Scott