Hello all, I’m not sure if this topic has been discussed but…I have a question regarding how each of us uses our arranger keyboards. I bought mine (PSR550 and recently PSR2000) for the sole purpose of using it as a song writing tool for original material either as a solo performer or in a band setting. I find it to be a huge help when a melodic idea hits or cool riff comes to me and I need a quick backing track or I’m just brain dead. I usually completely replace the whole arrangement with original styles but I do start with one of the arranger’s styles or at least portion of a style. So after this long-winded introduction I’d like to know how each of us use our arrangers and why. From a personal standpoint I have no interest in doing copy material or as I’ve seen here in Cleveland Ohio a sort of karaoke machine in some tinky club (no offence to anyone but we all know those shmucks who are doing this with no real musical talent). Guy’s like Uncle Dave and the rest of you regulars have the talent and I’m sure are using their keyboards to compliment your God given talent. So let’s open up this forum and educate each other on this topic…..any takers?

Oh, by the way I don’t profess to claim any exceptional talent (although I’ve been told I don’t suck…www.mp3.com/mdsonic (yep that’s a plug))

I’m just curious.

Hello From Dan in Baltimore .


I use a hard disk recorder and the SD1 for my recordingds . I definately have the recording bug and I keep pushing myself to find different ways to use my keyboard .My production is getting better .

Here's an idea .
Try making a recording and than take a drum loop , bass line or accompianment part from a different style and syncipate the isoloated part with the original recording . Almost like haveing a multipad playing along with a style, but record it as a separate audio track .


Fun stuff ! dan

[This message has been edited by DanO1 (edited 12-04-2002).]

I do that from time to time....I like to record multiple drum tracks sometimes different styles like using a basic 8 beat with a house or hip hop pattern etc.....

I'm afraid I'm a heretic. I bought my original arranger as a cheap MIDI input device to record classical music that I would never hear otherwise. That's not to say I could play it well but Cakewalk and others do a grand job of clearing up mistakes. And there were other methods of recording music such as scanning the score. Having discovered I was a frustrated organist (as well as a piano player) I bought a PSR-740, mostly for my own amusement, but also for playing the odd gig at local spots. So I'm not a real musician any more having done all my good stuff more years ago than I care to admit.

Bryan

Hey Cleveland !
Guys like Uncle Dave use these arrangers in ANY way possible to enhance, create, and stimulate a show. There is no wrong way to approach entertainment...just look at some of the stuff that peole like!
Some really tacky movies get rented over and over and some of the WORST singers are the most popular on the air!

Thanx for the compliment, but don't sell the tools short either. They are here for us to USE.....and use them, we will !

Your right and that's the beauty of it all, there are no set rules and you can, and should use it in anyway possible. I'm not one to ever think in a box, the way I use my arranger today may and most likely will change over time. I won't even comment on the total lack of talent that is out there it makes me nutzzzzzzz.......

mdolman, I too purchased an arranger as a songwriting tool. I do not play keyboards other than holding down chords and sometimes making synth noises.I was looking for a drum machine that played intros,fills, and endings, and also played in 3/4 time. Well they don't exist! Then one day I found this website with all these interesting people discussing "Arrangers". Would these things do the job? Yes indeed! And more than drum tracks, I get bass parts, keyboard parts, even horn parts. I add various guitars and vocals and get a very workable demo. I learned so much on this website,which is great because I sure didn't get any help at the local music stores. Thanks to all who make this place such a class act.
Bill

I have a PSR9000. Don't play it for anyone except family and friends (whoever will listen) and God. I play mainly contemporary Christian titles and some Jazz tunes and a few ballads. I'm not shy about letting other people hear my playing and I certainly wouldn't mind playing at church ... I can't read music though, so I don't think they'd want me on a praise & worship team. Unless, hmmm ... are some of you in a band of whatever sort and are also unable to read music? Just curious...
ev

mdolman,
I'm a guitar/Stick/vibes player and use an arranger as a sound module back up band. I use styles pieces parts from different styles, whatever I need to bring one of my compositions to fruition.

I multitrack overdubbing a stereo (or mono) track at a time on an AW4416 Yammy recorder.

Here's a plug for my site if you want to have a listen to what I do. http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html
jam on,
Terry

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 12-04-2002).]

Evangelical,
Three members of our Praise & Worship team play by ear: flutist, violinist, and pedal steel. The music the others use are words and chords - no melody lines. Everyone knows the melodies by heart. They are all accompanying singers. So, depending on the type of praise & worship, you could be one of them. No one is reading music, unless you call reading chords, reading music.
Starkeeper

1) I play styles and play the melody and or chords in my right hand by ear/memory. I also play mostly contemporary christian music. I call it Vineyard music.
2) I am also trying to teach myself piano accompaniment. This also does not require note reading. I use full keyboard mode for this.
I read music very poorly, but it wouldn't hurt to learn.
Starkeeper