General performance questions .......

How many participates of this forum are
Playing solo acts ?
Performing as a Duo ?
Dan O

Aye,Aye

Yes sir..."All By Myself" I love that tune :>)

Me myself and I.

Me too......I use my old Yamaha EL 90 (until I get my SD1 ), and my Ketron X1 HD.

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mdorantes

Most of my arranger keyboard type gigs are solo acts but I personally like (even MORE) playing with a solo acoustic instrumentalist (horn player, guitar player) or female vocalist (if the client can afford this).

The BIG advantage we have as arranger keyboard musicians is that we have the flexibility to add/drop LIVE musicians (drummer, bass player, instrumentalist, etc) as dictated by client budget or musician availability.

I think an arranger keyboard duo act is probably my favorite gig scenerio because no matter how you cut it solo, there really is NO substitute for the exciting musical chemistry which can happen between LIVE musicians/singers performing on stage. Also, I'm sure that most of the males in the audience appreciate having a lovely female singer to admire as well.

Yep !
Wietse (my singer) and me (SD1)

Me piano and x1 --used to be duo -- but had to have a go at it again on my own.Agree re flexibility and I get a second person for some gigs. 2nd person can be a liability eg too loud too inflexible --to patterened- too perfect ---too afraid -- too ego ish -- too different in interpretation (my excuse for doing it my way (wrong or right) . I love to be free with audience and have fun with them so 2nd person may cut in too often on the line I may be on or as often happened to me when I get a fun bit out 2nd person changes it or takes it over. Tough business this solo tough business this duet -- I think I will stay at it-----Quote "if I dont like it chances are I may need to change the way I do it . Best wishes Pierce

Team,

I must be the 'outlaw' in this category then. I play with a 5 piece band (AFRICARIBE) that I formed a couple of years ago (Merengue, Salsa, Reggae, Soca, Zouk, World Beat ...)

* Durmmer
* Sax
* Percussion (min)
* 2 (nice latin) vocalists
* The X1 (now replaced with the SD1) with me

Keeping everyone in sync has been a rather challenging issue hence some of the features offered on these keyboads have been used to my advantage. I also MIX the overall sound as I play and sing (using a YORKSVILLE powered mixer) so believe me when I say I love music! Prior to the shows though, I do most of my set-up at home and do honor the REGISTRATIONS! Out of 24 songs performed within 2 sets lasting about 1hr20mins each, only 2 might be MIDIFILES, while the rest are heavily invested in ARRANGERS (of which maybe 2% of those used are those that come with the keyboard!).

Anyone else out there program their own styles for the most part?

Thanks,

AJ

Hi AJ. The fact that you play with a 5 piece band is really interesting to me. I am considering teaming up with a couple others to do some nursing home playing. I can see the advantages of playing with a group and also being a solo act. A group has a certain appeal and dynamic and being solo we can be in total control. (at least to the audience ). Creating your own styles interests me as well. I've lately gotten into editing existing styles and editing baselines by copying from one riff to another or import elements from other styles. I have yet to venture into creating my own due to the time constrants of working a full time job, etc. At this time, my wife and I are playing more for our own enjoyment and for family and friends. I really tip my hat to all who play arrangers for a living.

I use the KN6500 (and Band-In-A-Box) for backing tracks for solo guitar gigs. Works great. Biggest disadvantage---unable to take requests for tunes where no backing tracks have been prepared in advance. It requires careful planning in anticipation of what might be requested.