Nice Fran.

I play (home jam) with a great sax player. I think that's why it's harder for me to accept a 'keyboard sax'. Consequently, he DOES NOT LIKE playing with the 'drum machine' (BK7m) even when the pattern is well suited to the song. Doesn't bother me but that may be because I'm used to it and he's not. His words, "they SOUND like drums, they just don't FEEL like drums". Ehhh. Personally, I'd rather rehearse with it than without it. Of course the secret is the judicious use of variations and fills, setting the right tempo, and making sure the basic beat fits the tune. I think a lot of arranger players could use a lesson or two on how to best use the 'drum machine' built into our arrangers. I have heard performances ON THIS BOARD where an entire song would be played without a single break, fill, or pattern variation. If it sounds monotonous, then it's not the arrangers fault, it's the players. This is a case of no talent or no imagination. Just sayin'.

chas

I used to jam with a great sax player, Jimmy McKinney, who was inducted into the Maryland Musicians Hall Of Fame. On the forum, he was known as Jimsax. Jim said the one thing a drum machine did for him was hone his timing and made him a much better player, especially when he was jamming with a full band. I couldn't agree more. Jim passed away several years ago while playing his sax on the job at a nearby marina restaurant. He owned a Tyros2 and played his sax along with midi files. He was also a pretty good vocalist. He was just 62 when he passed away.

Most players of individual instruments, and often, vocalist, had lousy timing when jamming and playing with a full band, at least that was my experience. My departed friend Jerry Burns, who was a Peabody trained musician, once told me that a good drummer had to be as exact as a drum machine or he would not be allowed to play in the Army band, which Jerry played in during his time in the US Army. Jerry also was the piano player for the Zim Zimerel Orchestra, and said that Zim was a real stickler for timing, and hired the best of the best for his big band, which played throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 4 decades, including several times at the White House. Pay close attention to the drummer and bass player in the attached video - it's as if they had a metronome in their hands.



Gary

Gary, the band was great, the vocalist was great (classic big-band vocalist), in fact everything was great EXCEPT the bandleaders DANCING. Yikes! If he was a stickler for timing, he must have forgot to tell his feet . I noticed the band members didn't look at him much. I think I know why . Actually, I enjoyed the video. No amateurs in THAT band. I just have to wonder; except for large casinos, how many clubs, even large, well-known ones, could afford to have that kind of band THESE days? Ahhh, the golden age of music. Remember SINATRA SINGS, COUNT BASIE SWINGS? What a great collaboration.

chas

Lee - thanks so much! I am planning to do a tune or two which will offer a comparison of the real vs SX900 sax on the same arrangment...coming to a forum near you....soon! Thanks again and have a happy holiday!

Thanks so much John! I miss gigging with a live bands. Get to do it a few times a year but mostly doing solo restaurant work these days in addition to the beach weddings. Miss the big band days too. Never too late, maybe something will turn up around here. Happy holidays John!

Thanks Rikki - that recording was made right about the time the CD burners became available for home use for audio. I used a Mackie 12 channel mixer and a digital reverb - was in heaven with that technology back then! Had a ball putting a CD of Xmas stuff together. Merry Xmas Rikki!

Donny - will do - I am planning to do some music and will tag team the live sax with the SX900. It will be interesting and a fun project. Have a great holiday DNJ!

Looking forward to that Randy.

Very cool. Is there anything better than a sax? Great job Randy, you are so very talented.

Fran....that sounded very good too...….