Technics Keyboard friends: Thought you guys might be interested in reading my review of the "MusicPad Pro" which I purchased recently:
http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/009959.html



I plan to bring it along to the Florida Synthzone Jam http://home.earthlink.net/~eastcoastjam/ and utilize it when performing.

Scott

Thanks Scott - great review I look forward to seeing the real thing in April. However, being a non-reader, all these hieroglyphics don't mean much to me

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Willum

Thanks, Scott. I'm also anxious to see your new gadget. Guess it's time for me to start converting all my Lime lead sheets to .pdf so they will easily copy to the Music Pad. . . I am a slave to lead sheets and can't play without them. I noticed that the thing weighs 6 pounds and is about 10 by 13 inches. I assume that gives about an 8.5 by 11 inch display. I couldn't find that specific display data.

Bob,the actual screen dimensions of the MusicPad Pro is: 7-5/16" x 9-3/4". Interestingly enough, even though the screen size is less than 8-1/2 x 11, the actual music display size can actually match (or be viewed larger) than the original sheet music itself. This is possible because you are able to easily CROP out the 'border margins' of the original sheet music. The MusicPad Pro actually includes an automated CROPPING utility which will do this automatically for you. For example, in the pic of the music displayed on the MusicPad Pro at the top of this thread: when switched to PERFORMANCE mode, only the music itself (no borders) are displayed. This makes the music score viewing size equal to or larger than the orginal sheet music itself.




Bob, I understand your feeling because I came from an early background of READING music as well. I had to later go back and learn to play by ear.

Bob, though there's nothing wrong with using lead sheets, here's a secret to playing by ear (right Bill? ). Once you memorize a song's chord progression (start with a simple I-IV-V7 song, you should then be able to more easily pickout the melody by ear. Keep in mind that song melody are built on chords and harmony, and that the notes of the melody are most always one of the notes in the associated chord, or the chord's related scale.

Once you learn your first song by ear using this method, learning subsequent songs this way get easier and easier. Have fun.

Bill, Bob, and all other FL SZ attendees. Looking forward to seeing you guys in April.

- Scott

Scott and Bob....Sue says you guys are a BAD INFLUENCE.
After seeing Bob's MusicPad Pro (demonstrated by Scott) at the East Coast Jam last month, I was convinced that it was 'a must have' for Sue. She is strictly a 'reader' and the MPP would free her from 'books and paper'.
Well anyway, she strongly resisted because of the cost. BUT....I didn't give up.
When I told our friend (who wasn't at the Jam) about it, he had one the next week.
The other day Sue had a chance to actually use his MMP (she entertains at a local Alzheimers facility, where his wife resides) and after 3 weeks of my nagging, she was finally convinced. I'll have to admit that it was a PLOT (don't tell Sue) between our friend and me....and it worked. Sue's MPP should be here next week. I've already started scanning Sue's music, so she'll be ready to start using it the day it arrives.
P.S. to Scott and Bob: I'll contact you seperately about any tricks you guys might use for scanning/file format etc. (don't want to clutter up the forum).....unless others are interested.

Bob and Sue

Hi--

I am also interested in pursuing this gadget as I a rely on lead sheets and was impressed with Scott's unit @ the Lady Lk. event. I have music spread out all over my condo and I always have to re sort and organize.
Yes, the cost is an issue, but I wonder how long it will be b-4 we see the price subside and/or improvments implemented as this seems to be a new item.
To anyone who has one, is there any area of improvement needed in your opinion for perhaps the next version?

Mark/Orlando, Fl

Hello All,

What is this music gadget about? What does it do? How does it work? How/When is it used? How much does it cost? .... I haven't heard of this before and would like to know more about it as I amd sure many other members would.

Could someone please give all details in "plain" english please?

Regards,

Aud (U.K.)

Audrey, you can find more details at http://freehandsystems.com/ . The gadget is simply a display device that can contain your entire music library in a relatively small package compared to managing all those books. The memory capacity is only limited by the size of USB Jump Drive that you have. (It also works with the SD card reader that I have been using with my KN7000 files)

Mark, I don't expect to see any significant reduction of the price of the MPP in the near future. It is, after all, a computer with a somewhat limited sales market.

freehandsystem
I have seen this system, I feel it's good, I can see the value for the pro player.
Some buts:
1-The price is not for everyone -- if you are using it to earn dollars, OK. If your budget allow, OK.
2-There are pros who are using a laptop for this purpose -- It is not as friendly for music, but they can be used for many other purposes. I keep only music related/needed programs in my laptop. I can arrange my music in many different ways -- only limited by my imagine.
It is time for me to cut back on my pro work and play at nursing homes -- and at home for my own pleasure --- if I bought one, I would lose my laptop capabilities.

If it was 1990 again, I would buy one.

Just my thoughts, John C.