My keyboard doesn't have them so I'm curious if I'm missing anything. I've tried them out on other keyboards and it just seemed kind of gimmickie. Are these must have items to have and I just don't know it, or do you rarely use them?

I saw several pro players demoeing an arranger keyboard using the modulation/pitch bend a lot. He was using it even when playing bass lines and especially during solo instrument lines.

I wonder how other players uses it. I personally never use it but I am not as advanced as some of these guys.

Pitchbend wheels are a must if you want to truly get the right effect when playing sounds such as guitar, bass, and sax. A pitchbend wheel when used with a guitar sound will allow you to bend notes and use it as say a whammie bar.. They are by no means gimmic. It takes some practice to use them properly too. You have to know where and when to bend the notes.. A modulation wheel is also quite handy but for the basics a pitchbend wheels is quite important. Also theres the joysticks too that you'll find on Korgs and Rolands. Personally I think they work much better than the wheels.. I use the pitchbend extensively when playing. Many of my songs will have a guitar, or sax solo. Also if you're playing brass instruments the pitchbend is quite effective.

Squeak

Squeak,

Can you post some songs using the pitch bend tecnic?

Chuck: When playing in arranger keyboard auto accompaniment mode, with the left hand required full time to trigger full chords and also be heard (left hand instrument sound) as well, the pitch bend & modulation wheels are totally useless, that's unless you have more than 2 hands. To solve the problem of adding pitch bend and vibrato in arranger auto accomp mode, Yamaha has begun incorporating pitch bend with key touch sensitivty instead. A great exampe of this is on the Tyros' "Aloha Guitar". - Scott

I never play a song that I don't use the pb wheel, unless it's all piano or organ.
But then I don't use full keyboard mode also.
I have played around with the Aloha guitar on the 2100 and it is harder for me to do it with touch.
You can hear plenty of examples on my website. www.donmasonmusic.com
DonM

Scott,
Yes, this is another thing I wondered about...I only have two hands. It seems like I have more than enough to do with playing, punching fill buttons, etc. Maybe if you could control pitch with a foot petal like I do with the sustain it would be more feasible. If you could control it with pressure on the keys like you said it would be interesting and more possible. That would be like after-touch I assume?

Chuck ....its not an easy craft and takes alot of practice to do...but if you master it it adds realizm to your playing for sure....I personaly never have a need to use it on stage..
but some use it very frequently.....
it's all depenent on how you play & what style, know WHEN to use it too.
I suggest you go listen to people use it and see if its just for you or not..

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www.donnypesce.com



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 01-13-2004).]

Squeak hit it right on. When I'm with a SMF, my left hand stays with the wheels during sax and guitar solos. Even when I'm playing in arranger mode, for those instrumentals I use the wheels... and yes, I have a VERY busy left hand, but for me, it's worth it for the sound I can get. IMO, getting a great sax or guitar is one of the top AK benefits.

Start listening closely. Any time you're really impressed by a keyboard sax solo, and you're not sure if it might not be a real sax, you can be sure there was a lot of wheel or joystick action. As squeak and dnj said, it does take lots of practice to get it right.

Glen I'd like to hear your wheel technic if possible can you post a demo or 2?