I never ceases to amaze me at the number of incredible, new styles that we gain each time a new arranger keyboard comes on the market. Yamaha's world style selection has expanded dramatically, and this was, I'm sure, in response to the many, many requests from around the world for more ethnic styles and voices.

A few weeks ago, a good friend and fellow musician passed away at age 96. We've played together for more than 40 years, and I can say with utmost authority that he was among the best bluegrass fiddle players in the nation. He was really incredible and I will remember him always.

His widow asked me to perform just two songs at his memorial service, one of which was Taps. She also asked me to perform Amazing Grace. I rarely do this type of song, and wasn't sure which style would fit best. While digging in the keyboard's onboard styles a few days prior to the memorial service I stumbled into the world section, press the button next to Irish Hymn2 and was blown away. Attached is my rendition of Amazing Grace using the PSR-S950. I also recorded the song on the S-950 using the onboard recorder, so what you hear is what they heard at the memorial service. For those that claim the addition of a few styles are just baby steps by Yamaha, I beg to differ.

Amazing Grace

Gary

Hello Gary,

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend but it was good that you were able to contribute to his passing.

In listening to your performance of Amazing Grace I could almost visualize your audience in their contemplation.

One thing that was distracting for me was the syncopated startling sound of each snare drum hit. I thought it took away from the great reverence of your rendition.

I hope my comment is not offensive.

Ian

Ian, not at all offensive. I love to hear constructive criticism and glad you took the time to listen. That drum hit was the default drum kit of the style file, and I could have changed that, but it really didn't seem that hot when performing it live.

Gary

Great style and great job Gary. I noticed the same thing about the snare. It detracts a little from the mood, as my esteemed Canadian colleague noted.
One more jar of KJJ, trade out a kit, and it will be even better.
DonM

IMO it depends how you want to play it. With this style including the snare there is a certain swing to it so that it remains a slow pop ballad somehow.
When I did this song with a more classical female soloist, I didn't use any style and rhythm at all, but used some beautiful orchestral and world sounds from the Roland SRX library, starting with soft brass samples (SRX 10 French horns, very realistic, but tough for the loudspeakers), adding string sections and finally great bagpipes from the SRX 06 (Complete Orchestra) and SRX 09 (World) boards. That makes it sound almost like the Titanic soundtrack ;-) But this 'lighter' version is very emotional too, and might be the better choice depending on how the audience feels.

I like Gary's version...he kept it simple, yet effective. The style sounds like the Irish Hymn 2 style in my Tyros4, and it seems to be in 4/4 whereas Amazing Grace is generally in 3/4.

Gary's rendition works a treat, and I kind of like the snare as it adds a sort of military feel, without being too intrusive.

Nice job, Gary...sorry about your friend.

Ian

Maybe a brush, folk, acoustic or jazz set would be a better snare downbeat & a key higher vocally otherwise great style choice and good job as always Gary!...

Donny, for me to go up a full step vocally would require that I tighten my undershorts with a pair of vice-grip pliers. I've lost 25 percent of my total lung capacity in just three years. The asbestos is slowly, but surely taking it's toll on this old man.

Gary

Don't want to get into a 'debate' because obviously Gary knows what he is doing ... BUT ... I too think that perhaps a 1/2 step higher might be good ... but Gary does get down to those low notes ...
Also, can't the snare be adjusted on its own? ... I did find it a little harsh ... but still a nice presentation overall,Gar ...

I don't think it would be worth it Gary...I know musicians sometimes "suffer for their art", but I'd say that might be a tad extreme.

We would all fully understand if you didn't let yourself get squeezed into a tight situation.

Ian

This is where ROLAND SHINES BIG TIME!!

Well sports fans, I've never been one to back down from a challenge. I took the advice of those who took the time to provide some constructive criticism, got out the vice grip pliers, took an extra turn or two on my shorts, then changed the drum machine of the style and adjusted the drum volume. Here's the results. I can unequivocally tell you that I was at the very tip-top of my vocal range singing this in "D".

Anazig Grace2


Cheers,

Gary

Both were very nice renditions that I'm sure your friend's family enjoyed and appreciated. As far as the drums, I would suggest a rim click or brush pattern to begin (or maybe drums tacet) and then to full snare on the last verse. That would help the song build. Just my 2 cents...

Nice,,,your vocal style reminds me of Eddy Arnold with some John Conlee mixed in.

Hi Gary,

I hope you don't have permanent damage from the "adjustments"....in any case, this is very nice indeed...perfect key for you...you didn't sound strained on any notes.

Even nicer than the first one, which was already great.

Ian

Sounds very pretty and spiritual. I like the snare.

I am also sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

No sound of any 'pain' or straining there, Gary ... nice job ...
Sorry about the passing of your friend ... they are tough to lose, and unfortunately we are at that age ...

Exelent!!!!!!.....I'm sorry for your friend........

I was happy with the first rendition, but I feel this one blows it totally away!
Incidentally I closed with a gospel song Tuesday night and it got a standing ovation. Of course everyone was gone but a half dozen tables.
Maybe I'll listen to see if the recording was good and post it.
We absolutely can learn from honest criticism, and there is never a need to be rude or caustic about it.
As much as I disagree with my friend Diki's "bedside manner", his critiques of a couple of my songs were right on, and I was happy to learn from it.

Same here, Don. His main criticism of me concerned my lack of use of the mod wheel on sax solos. Of course he's right. No sax player plays all 'straight' tones. I just don't feel it as intuitively as I do when trying to do my 'blues guitar' imitation.

As far as his 'bedside manner', I'm okay with that. Usually it's just a case of him not sugarcoating the truth. In fact, if he were any 'sweeter', I'd question if it was really Diki .

chas

Thanks everyone for the condolences and the complements. My friend, Eric, as stated earlier, was an incredible bluegrass fiddle player. He never ceased to amaze me. He also played a mean, lead electric guitar and mandolin.

He was a World War II U.S. Navy fighter pilot, served as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, and was one of those folks that could land a jet plane on a postage stamp floating in the middle of the ocean. When he left the Navy he went to work as an electronic engineer for Aircraft Armaments until he retired at age 72. He then switched to doing some gentleman farming on a 17-acre patch of land surrounding his home.

We performed together in a 5-piece country band for many years, and when the band broke up, we continued to get together and have regular jam sessions until just a few years ago when macular degeneration rendered him nearly blind. He still played the guitar once in while, but said he just couldn't seem to handle the fiddle anymore.

Eric was 96 years old when he passed away, and up until the very end he was always looking forward to the next day and something to do. He was a creative genius in every sense of the word, he loved life, and never forgot his friends.

Cheers,

Gary