Positioning of keyboard

These questions are for all of you pros: When playing before an audience, how do you position your keyboard in relation to the audience? Do you stand or sit when playing before the audience?

Peter

"There is a thin line between music and noise." Anon.

Hi Peter: I usually prefer to (directly) face the audience straight on (with the back of the kb facing them). As both a singer & keyboardist, connecting to the audience thru your eyes (and not just the music), is a key ingredient to insure a highly successful show.

My kb playing position is sort of a cross between standing and sitting/leaning againest a high stool. I raise the keyboard on the KB stand (Quiklok Monolith M91) to almost standing height. This offers better stage presence (maximum visiablity), while the stool provides the support to lean against when activating the foot controler pedals, sometimes requiring to use BOTH left & right feet concurrently.

Here's a link to pics of me performing: http://www.pbase.com/scottyee/gigshots

Scott

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http://scottyee.com

Hey Scott ! What's that thing you're playing?? and why isn't the Logo covered??

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Willum

Hey Willum,

Quote; After all, Technics doesn't pay me for promoting their keyboard, so why not promote myself instead.

Maybe therein lies the answer.

Grandpa Doug

Thanks for the information and direction to your pictures, Scott. I wasn't sure if the keyboard is better the way you have it or the way a piano is set up, kind-of sideways. I think if the internal speakers are all that is used, your setup is the best. I just wasn't sure that anyone else saw it this way. Looks like you really enjoy entertaining!
As for the Technics logo, I don't think anyone in the audience even notices it. Unless, of course, the keyboardist is really bad.

Peter

I always perform standing (I feel it helps 'keep me on my toes ), facing the audience, unless the gig calls for purely background stuff, with me being 'transparent' to the attendees ....
t.

PS ..... I think the 'side-angle' of a piano is only to allow the audience to see you, otherwise they would be looking at the end of the piano, with the performer being just about hidden behind it ......
t.

Bill: Maybe I've gotten too risque and will be cited for 'indecent' exposure



Hi Tony
Actually, the reason an 'acoustic' grand is (traditionally) positioned at a right angle to the audience is so (with its lid raised), its sound is directed (focussed) outwards towards the audience. Performing on a Synth or arranger keyboard (with PA speakers: built in or otherwise), I see no advantage to a side (right) angle keyboard setup.

.... of course, Scott ..... obviously I only thought about the 'appearance' side of the question, and not the 'acoustic' side ... not only do I feel there is no advantage to a side angle set up for a keyboard, but especially in a solo act, I think it would look weird.......
t.

I have debated (inside my head only!) whether to sit facing the audience, or give them visibility to what I'm doing. Since I don't sing, I have opted to either face away from them (as an organist would) or angle myself ~45 degrees so I don't seem as if I'm looking at a wall.

I find that many times people seem to enjoy coming up to watch what I'm doing. I simply turn toward the audience when I'm going to speak, announce a song, do a dedication, etc.

Jim

Scott, Tony, and Jim.
Thanks for sharing your expertise with a beginner. I've noticed that many people on this forum claim to be professionals, but you fellows really are. Thanks again. Jim, my dad always told me to never turn my back on an audience. I have noticed organists do, but suppose that it is merely tradition. I believe that I would rather face the audience, so I can tell whether or not everyone got up and left. Scott, I never gave a thought to the acoustics of a piano being connected to its placement. I learned something new, thanks.

Peter

... that's why I often use the 45-degree angle, I'm somewhat facing away from the audience, but my back isn't directly to them. And with a small "head swivel" I can make sure they're still there!

:-)

Jim