If you own a Yamaha arranger keyboard, the Music Finder feature is an often overlooked powerful feature which will aid in organizing your song repetoire list and set play list(s). The Music Finder is a database function which allows you to create, organize, and search for any song or (songs) which meet just about any criteria you choose (from a list) or define yourself. This includes calling up the desired style (along with OTS voice settings) that is stored with that song along with the tempo.

Unfortunately, there are also limitations to the Yamaha Music Finder feature which include: the ability to ONLY link to the keyboard's 'preset' styles or styles located in USER memory. Styles on the hard drive or on floppy cannot be utilized. Other missing Music Finder functions include: not being able to store key transpose settings or intro/ending settings, not having the ability to see what instrument voices are stored in OTS 1-4 until you actually press the buttons, and the fact that whenever you leave the Music Finder Window, the current song record jumps back to the first song at the top the list. Luckily, I've been able to develop some workarounds which enable me to perform MORE and MORE exclusively using the Tyros' Music Finder feature alone.

Though the PSR3000, as well as all other recent Yamaha arrangers, include the Music Finder feature, one BIG advantage of the Tyros Music Finder is its much larger LCD (color) screen size (for EZ reading) and it's larger associated buttons which makes MFD navigation more convenient, especially on the fly during performance.

Ok you ask: why does Scott now utilize the Tyros Music Finder (almost exclusively) when performing? Because this supplies me (at my fingertips) my entire core repetoire song collection (590+) along with appropriate style & tempo, and the ability to pull ANY song up in a matter of seconds (less than 10). In addition, if I get a song request, I can quickly pull up the song, or all songs matching similar criteria (artist, style, decade era, etc) further expanding song possiblities to match the requestor.

Here are some workaround solutions to some of the MFD limitations I outlined in paragraph two (above). Each MFD song record includes a "Music (song title)" & "Keyword" field. In the "music" field, following the song title, I also include the song key & "key transpose" setting (ei: C-1 = key of C & transpose setting 1/2 step down) . Following this I add a space followed by 4 letters to signify the instrument voices for each of the 4 OTS setttings.

A: Accordion
B: Brass
C: Clarinet
D: Drums (Steel)
E: Elec Piano - DX7 - Rhodes
F: Flute
G: Guitar
H: Harmonica
I: Whistle
J: Banjo
L: (vio)Lin
O: Organ
M: Marimba
P: Piano (Acoustic)
S: Strings
T: Trumpet/Trombone
V: Vibes
W: Woodwind Sec
X: Saxophone
Y: (s)Ynth
Z: Xylophone

Optionally, a space can follow this with a 2 digit number to signify what intro & ending are used with this song. For example: 12 would mean use intro 1 and ending 2.

Example: "Music" (song title) field: All My Loving F-1 POGB 23

The above is played in the key of F with key transpose set to (-1). OTS settings are:
1) Piano, 2) Organ, 3) Guitar, 4) Brass Ensemble, and intro 2 and ending 3 are to be used. All the above info is conveniently displayed in the main window of the music finder.

On to the "keywords field: section. The keywords section allows you to define custom search criteria with each keyword needing a comma (,) between them. I recommend using single letters ONLY. Here is my keyword definition list:

A: My personal A list showcase songs
P: Most Popularly Requested Songs
W: Work Songs
M: Memorized Songs
I: Instrumental Songs
R: Songs that I use custom Registrations with
1-9: signifies decade song was composed (2= 1920's, 3=1930's, etc)
2K: Songs from the current decade.

Example: "Keyword" field: 6,M,A

The above means the song is from the 1960's, memorized, and on my choice A list.


With the above keywords as well as utilizing the customizable define (song Genre) field feature, you can search for many types of criteria at a touch of button come up with song list selections to immediately play (on the fly) for just about any audience song request.

Of course, to setup your own custom MFD requires a little inital work & time, but with Michael Bedesem's terrific (and FREE to boot) Windows software program called: Music Finder View:
http://www.svpworld.com/util_mfdview.htm

It's quick and simple to use, as you can do everything from the convenience of your keyboard on your Windows PC computer. And don't worry, the backup of the factory Music Finder database is permanently stored in the keyboard in ROM, so you can easily reload it if you want, so have no fear in creating your OWN custom Music Finder Database which includes ONLY and all of YOUR songs and YOUR CHOICE of style selection. I urge all Yamaha arranger keyboard owners to take the time to really utilize the Music Finder feature. I can't live without it now.

I hope my post here encourages Yamaha arranger keyboard players to explore and utilize the Music Finder feature. I would love to hear from others here who utilize the Music Finder in performance.


- Scott


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http://scottyee.com

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 10-17-2004).]

Very interesting Scott,

I actually only use my USER styles, but I wonder if I can make this work for me. I actually never use the music finder. When you select a song, does it automatically change the tempo?

Chony

Chony,

I definitely recommend you trying it out and encourage you to create your own CUSTOM Music Finder file. I find that playing is more fun & provides a spontaneous performance.



In Music Finder there is a 'tempo lock' featuare option which allows you to either keep the current tempo when selecting new songs, or change to the tempo stored for the new song in Music Finder. I typically keep the 'tempo lock' set to OFF, which automatically changes the tempo when a new song is selected.

Scott

I have tried the MF..its totaly useless in my act and style of playing. I rely on Registrations, Custom edited User styles, User sounds etc ...its much faster to search for Songs on the fly, using the playing style that I incorporate. My head would explode trying to organize and remmnber all that MF stuff Scott posted YIKES!

"Different Strokes"

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-15-2004).]

Donny: Perhaps I'm merely a genius cuz it didn't take long at all for me to master the above. If needed in the begining (as a cheat sheet) just tape a small piece of paper to the keyboard of the above OTS voice chart.

Though I continue to use custom registrations for situations which demand strict reg setups (medleys, and songs which involve a lot of style vari/voice changes, I personally prefer using the Music Finder method for playing more casual venues: piano bar cocktail lounge, nursing homes, etc as it allows for a more spontaneous way to select/choose songs & make 'on the fly' OTS setting changes. Donny, I appreciate that the Music Finder doesn't work for you, but (for me) over time, I have discovered it more and more useful and a preferable way to more spontaneously perform (at least for me). I suppose much of the appeal of this method follows the path of intuitive playing which I prefer over the more structured formal approach of registration sequence playing where you're locked in to a set registration sequence. The bottom line is that each method has its merits.

Scott

Scot....it don't matter HOW ya Do it......it's what it sounds like that matters!

Scott,

I set up my music finder in a similar fashion to years when I purchased the 2000. For me, the music finder directoty is an incredible tool and works well for me as well. However, I also use number of registrations, midi files and even an occasional MP3, all of which can be instantly accessed on the fly. One of the greatest things about the PSR-3000 is its expanded MFD that also allows you to save the intro and initial variation, thereby eliminating the selection of these when the song is selected.

When we get to Bossier City, I hope you can demonstrate ways to effectively use this wonderful tool.

Gary

I discovered the wonderful Music Finder option on my PSR 2000 and have utilized it almost every time I play. For songs I use frequently I have in the Favorites section and I can play them in the order I have in my sheet music book. I just turn the page and press down in the MF section and I'm ready to play the next song.
I have also downloaded (from the psrtutorial site) other recommendations for songs.
This is a good feature to be reminded of or pointed out.
Scott, I liked your organization tips. I may try that since I rarely use those columns.

- Brian

Music Finder! I don't need no stinkin' music finder.
Seriously, it seems to take me longer to open the mf, select the song, turn off the auto OTS button, than it does just to select a style, set the tempo and play.
Or maybe I'm just lazy.
DonM

Scott. Interestingly the new CVP307 & 309 MusicFinder can now save and select the correct OTS Starting voice you would expect to hear with the song. Correct Intro & Correct Variation that was saved in the MusicFinder.
This was similar also on the PSR9000 & 9000Pro but left off the Tyros.

The PSR3000 has so much versatility in recalling registrations that is makes the MFD cumbersome for me to use.

The registrations call up the transpose, the style and settings, the midi song if used, along with the intro / ending, style, tempo, voice.......stored on any source on the keyboard: Preset mem, Internal mem, Smartcard and 2 usb thumb drives I save all my registrations, named with the songs that I perform, on the smart card (which never leaves the Keyboard.) This is the master list which is alphabitized. I then make a copy of the registrations into folders by categories: Country, Bigband, Pop etc for request by genre. Before a gig I will also create folders called set1, set2, etc and place a copy of the songs I know I will be performing based on prior experience and routine.

I used my 3000 last Friday, and the system worked like a charm. No glitches or embarassing wrong key, intro etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Jerry

Jest all part of the agin' process!

Gary

Scott is to be commended for supplying so much info about the music finder...

However, I got my registrations saved by song titles...and I can be from one song to the next within a second or two...

Further, I have to admit I have yet to use any of the Tyros's ability to interphase with my computer at all. I have a hard drive in my tyros...and back up all my user registrations to that...

The music finder is confounding and something at least at this point in time, nothing I feel compelled to use any time soon...

I play in full keyboard mode...everytime I play with the MF, the keyboard gets split and begins to cough & choke on my chord voicings.

I won't even go into the havoc it wreaks with my harmonizer, lol...

I will allow, however that Scott may indeed be smarter than me however, lol...

Bill in Dayton

I also have save registrations as a song title. Registraton button #1 pulls up the style and all other parameters. Registration buttons 2-8 pull up additional OTSs. I almost always use button 1 for a piano or electric piano voice, 2 for harmonica, 3 for saxes, 4 for organs, 5 for flute or trumpet, 6 for vibraphone, 7 for guitars, and 8 for brass or accordian.

This seems to work best for me.

I like the Music Finder to learn new songs. I will use it more when Yamaha comes out with a keyboard that will store transpose and other registrations in the MFD.

I think, however, that Scott has a pretty clever thing going.

Beakybird

I think that what Scott suggests is a good method. Thanks for sharing this, Scott.
If one has an extensive repertoire and wants to react quickly to requests, this seems the best option.

However, if you make many changes in the styles (like different instruments ao) - and unfortunately some things are only saved in the style - you need all the userstyles at hand. With an extensive repertoire you need room for that.
Of course Tyros has a harddisk, but as Scott says the styles on the harddrive can not be utilized in the MF - it is understandable if you talk floppydrives, but with a harddrive it should be possible. Maybe a software change could correct that.

I am still exploring the keyboard and I am still not really certain what is saved where, but I think in some cases the registration is necessary to save a few settings. I think that's why Scott uses an R to remind him of that. But which registrationbank? It would be nice to have a certain registration bank attached to a song in the Music Finder.

In two cases I really need the registration. It's because of the Bossa Nova style.
First of all I can only play Bflat6 if I change the splitpoint to G2 (instead of F#2) - or else you get a Gm7, which is something entirely different.
Secondly, the piano (chord2) gives me problems with some chord changes. So I set the Piano channel off (chord 2).
Both are only saved in registrations.

Of course I can loose the Piano (or edit it)by editing the style and save it as a userstyle. But as far as my knowledge goes the splitpoint can only be saved in the registration.

Some things can not be saved at all, like OTS link and Auto Fill In.

(The problem with the piano is the chord change from Fmaj7 to F#7-5 or from Gm7 to F#7-5 - the piano plays a F# that is not desirable.)


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drdalet

[This message has been edited by drdalet (edited 10-17-2004).]

Just a word of thanks Scotyee for the advice in this thread, I use the Music Finder all the time.

Zalmi

Zalmi, glad you found my Music Finder topic thread of interest. I utilize the Music Finder feature as my ONE STOP place (in the keyboard) to organize & call any song in my song repetoire collection (currently 600+), and use 'Music Finder View' to print up custom playlists targeted for different clients & audiences. When you have hundreds of songs in your repetoire its the best way to go for spontaneous 'on the fly' type performances. I'm finding my newly acquired MusicPad Pro: http://www.freehandsystems.com/products.html to be a terrific companion to the MusicFinder. After calling up a song in Music Finder, I can quickly pull up its corresponding lead sheet by merely tapping my finger on the MusicPad Pro's touch screen a couple of times and presto. I have all my songs on the MusicPad Pro stored folders named: A, B, C, D, etc. . . so all I have to do is merely finger tap on the corresponding folder, then select (finger tap) the appropriate song in the song list that appears. My MusicPad Pro unit reflects all my songs in MusicFinder, keeping all my music organized & stored in ONE convenient location. No more having to search thru your fakebook collection or your thick heavy & dog eared leadsheet lyric binder(s) for that song you just can't remember all the changes to or whose lyrics have simply slipped your brain. My core repetoire consists of about 200 songs, but there are many hundreds of others which I know as well, but less inclined to perform 'on the fly' without lyrics, chords, or leadsheet for guidance. The MusicPad Pro provides near instant access (2- 8 seconds) to ANY song sheet in my digital music collection, and I'm finding this unit no more an onstage audience distraction than the pop screen on my Tyros. I'm finding the MusicPad Pro an extremely useful device (both at home & on the gig) & hope its features can eventually be integrated into a arranger keyboard someday soon. Now that would really be COOL (and useful too I might add) . - Scott

Neat system you have scott, you've deffinately got a better OS in your head than I do, I've considered trying to use the music finder, but went back to registrations, but I have only the 9000, probably don't have as many bells and whistles.

My biggest gripe is I wish yamaha could have allowed more typing room for descriptions on the main screen, even better on the space showing what registration etc, It would be wonderful if it had a button you could push and a drop down with room enough to list about 10 other songs. I find one registration settup will usually fit many other songs, most of the time I can usually bring a couple to mind, ie: finish a tune do a little turn around while switching to another variance, and maybe transpose up a half and without stopping play another song. Problem these have to come from my head, (sometimes I draw a blank) be nice to have a drop down list to pick from or to jog the memory......HEY YAMAHA ARE YOU LISTENING!

Pose

Does the Tyros music finder, be the same as the PA1xpro songbook?

Scott,
I have tried to set the system I used with my KN7000. (Panel Regs) After a good bit of invested time I have come to the conclusion that --------
Mr. Scott yee is right!!!
Your ideas are good -- sooooo -- I'm following your thoughts on the Music Finder.

Once again, thank you so much, John C.