I certainly can appreciate the desire for 76 (or better yet 88) keys when playing solo piano , but 61 notes suits me quite fine for strictly arranger mode playing. Auto accompaniment mode style playing is a totally different style of playing than solo piano. With split point set at F#2, I have 1-1/2 octaves for triggering & voicing full chords with smooth voice leading, in LH, yet still have 3-1/2 octaves for RH melody playing & soloing, of which is only a mere 1/2 octave less than I've got on my Steinway Grand Piano from middle C to the top of the keyboard (high C). For the occasional solo piano style playing songs I do in a night, I'm able to live with 61 keys for the convenience of the smaller form factor & lighter weight keyboard (sorry to have to bring up that sore topic again
) 61 keys offers. If and when I want to dedicate an evening of solo piano performance, I've got the flexibility to bring along my Roland A33 76 controller and midi it to my Tyros2 KB. Considering I don't recall any "solo keyboard" (non arranger mode) performed songs shared on this forum, wondering just how much arranger players would actually benefit having 76 keys.
As some of you know, I was hired by Yamaha thru an independent consulting firm to give my input on future Yamaha arrangers, and this question was posed to me. I told them that if Yamaha could design a portable arr keyboard with 76 keys not exceeding the case size of Tyros2, I would be all for it, but I that I'd not be willing to compromise a significant increase in size and weight to gain that. Afterall, Yamaha tried 76 keys on the 50 lb 76 note 9000pro arranger, and it flopped here in the US, so I'm sure they still have cold feet doing that again soon.
I was told that Yamaha's extensive consumer market research confirmed the same, and the reason the Tyros2 & S900 PSR (aka: Portable) keyboards remain at 61 keys.
That all said, how often (percentage of playing) do people here actually play their arrangers as a full fledged piano utilizing all 76 keys? Those with 76 arranger, would love to hear your solo piano songs.
Scott