What percentage of styles on your keyboard are in 6/8 time ? I'd say that 10% are 6/8 time on most Ketron products.

It's seems that many , many hit songs are in 6/8 . Any favorites ?

That's always been a gripe of mine. Most pop American tunes that feature that triplet feel are actually 12/8 and NOT 6/8. The rhythm clock should be counted as 4 triplets instead of 6 eighth notes ..... that way you could make seamless transitions from 4/4 to 12/8 and stay in the same basic quarter note rhythm. Tapping out 6 beats to start a 50's ballad seems odd to me ..... those old r&b tunes are really in 4 ..... don't ya think?
The PA80 has a few of each kind on board.

As far as favorites ....... I can hit that 12/8 pattern .... and start a I vi IV V7 progression and play a medley that never has to end. I'm sure many players do the same.

When I do those medleys I try to change keys often so the boredom factor is minimized! I sometimes try to use the circle of fifths just to keep my brain workin'. It makes logical sense too.... eg:

In the still of the night - D
Tears on my pillow - G
Put your head on my shoulder - C
Silhouettes - F
You belong to me -Bb
Those oldies but goodies - Eb ...... etc...etc....etc....

At the end of each song, you can play a dominant seventh chord and it takes you right to the new key in a profound way.
it just seems to flow ....... each song leads to the next with a natural cadance that almost sounds "expected".

My crowd grew up with those 50's songs ( Of course, I was just a BABY then ! )and they are always big hits on the dance floor. They must be easy to dance to, as well.

Good information UD .

I stopped doing the I-vi-ii(or IV)-V pattern song medleys out of personal boredom with the repetition, but now, something as simple as key changes and variation changes have renewed my interest. Thanks for the tip UD. In addition to the songs already mentioned I throw in Oh Donna, some Platters (Twilight Time, Only You ---and Harbor Lights - although the pattern changes for Harbor Lights - but that's a good thing.
Eddie

I concur with UD's points & suggestions.

As an added note: for variety (and stronger harmonic movement), I'll occasionally substitute the IV chord with a ii chord.

Interesting coincidence to see how similar UD's 12/8 feel 'circle of 4ths' medley is to mine. I guess it's because these key's work well match our vocals. The only difference is that I like to do: "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" for the 'key of F' tune, utilizing the Yamaha Tyros style: '6-8SlowRock2' for these songs. I also think that the style should have been more appropriately named: '12-8SlowRock2'.

Final note: Though I too include "You Belong To Me" (I assume you meant the Duprees version, right?) in my circle of 4ths medley, the I-vi-IV-V progression (used for the other listed songs), doesn't appear to work on that one. I play:

I - iii - IV - (I -Vm-VI7 / ) - (ii - ivm6) - (I - vi) - II7 - (ii - V)
|Bb | Dm | Eb | Bb - Fm6 - G7 / | Cm - Ebm6 | Bb - Gm | C7 | Cm7 - F7 |

A lot of the folks in my crowd also grew up with these tunes, but even the folks in my generation love these tunes & get out on the dance floor for these songs as well.

Scott

Cherry Pie, You Send Me, Lost in the 50's, I Love You For Sentimental Reasons, and on and on . . .
DonM

Breaking up is hard to do, Diana, Come Go With Me, La Bamba...ouch, my head hurts. Somebody change the subject.
Eddie

ahhh, those oldies, but goodies ......
(Scott - you're right, it's the 4ths, not the 5ths ! My backwards views again! )

another note:

"You belong to me" was really just an example of yet another 12/8 tune that I do alot. I would never try to change the chord structure of that one .... it's too pretty.

When I run a dance...I think of tunes as tempos and styles...not titles or changes. I ask myself....what BEAT should I do next? Usually SOMETHING pops into mind !

[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 07-13-2003).]

Ah, the hits just keep on coming . . . This Magic Moment, Dance With Me, Remember When, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Up On The Roof, There Goes My Baby, (four-chord tricks, most of 'em).