see the video of PSR K1 at this page (almost at the bottom) http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_euro...ovies/index.php
jarda

Jarda, thanks for the video link. Viewing the video and seeing the performance assist feature demoed by Michael Voncken is fasinating (from a techology point of view) but TOTALLY DEPRESSING from a musical standpoint whatsoever. I certainly hope this isn't what professional musical entertainment is going to end up turning into.

If that's the case, we'll no longer be needed anymore to entertain, even at nursing homes, as the old folks will be able to simply 'entertain each other', making music by simply wacking at the keyboard with their canes. For more discussion re the Yamaha PSR3000 'performance assist' feature: http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/009275.html

Scott

Scott look around its already there my friend....computers technology has dealt the world a new hand regarding musical entertainment....find "Your Niche" and enjoy the ride while it lasts...everyone wants a piece of the pie and will use whatever means available to do it......if the listening public accepts it as they are doing so far it will grow and grow, regardless of purist shmurists atitudes... thats the cold hard reality in a cold hard world.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-07-2004).]

Watching that video really gives me some mixed emotions.

On one hand, it's very cool that the kb can offer the performance assistance as it does. It seems to me to be a midi enhacer kb more than anything else. I think seniors will NOT find this to be a suitable keyboard, however. Typically...a higher percentage of older people actually took music lessons (usually piano) than we find today. They want to be able to play...not sit there feeling that they're not needed. (Sound familiar?) The comment I hear most often from seniors who "have a keyboard-but it doesn't sound like mine" is that they'd like to be able to take advantage of the features their kb offers, but no one can explain it to them,

Hmmm...maybe I've discovered another business niche around Dayton.

Another thought I have is what professional musician in their right mind would use the Perf. assist. on a job? Maybe for some unique circumstance but on a regular basis? Not for me!

You can, however count on some guy/gal somewhere buying one of these, loading it up with midi files and gigging with it. If they can get work that way...I'd give them some credit for getting that far...

But...

Can they sing?

Sounds to me like taking requests might cause heartburn for them...

Dancer/guest: Hi! My wife wants to hear "fill in the blank" will you play it?

Musician: "Gee sorry, I don't have that midi file..."

...its a different kind of cat who'll gig with this kb in performance assistance mode...One that the full timers here probably don't need to worry about.

Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 11-08-2004).]

I agree with Uncle Dave's original post. We just happen to be on the starting edge of this technology. Someone will make good use of the performance assistant whether we like it or not. Is anyone really afraid that talent will ever be fully negated?

There are at least two ex-keyboard one-man-bands here who have quit doing it because they can make so much more money being a DJ. Although I don't advertise it, I also do a DJ job now and then, and it usually pays significantly more than live music. Still, at least that's an honest thing. You don't pretend to be playing an instrument.
DonM

Don, I don't understand why you quoted me. Did I say something wrong or earth shattering?

I agree with Don M..LIVE, MP3, SMF, DJ, etc.... I just MIX up "ALL" the "TOOLS" that I need to "build the house" I have no need for the "purist" attitudes, its a "new game" with new players out there my friends ....I just do what I do, and do it Very Well, and get paid Very Well for doing it, the way that I do it for the last 35 years+ to make a good living nuff said!

Jam On



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-08-2004).]

Oh no, I was AGREEING with you, about being on the cutting edge of technology. True talent won't ever be negated, but it may be harder and harder to showcase that talent, when a lot of consumers don't seem to care. They just want to dance!
There is no right or wrong here, just opinions and discussion.
Don

I agree, but I want to add that I believe one of the other reasons less people appear to notice or care about actual musicianship, is because the arts & music education (both band, orchestra & music history & appreciation) have suffered neglect in public school education over the years, with school ciriculum geared only to classes which promote careers that reap as much money as possible.

In the not so distant past, both television (variety shows like Ed Sullivan) & major radio stations presented a broad range of music (from classical, jazz, folk, and rock) which gave people both exposure and the apprecation for different types of music.

The entertainment corporation giants have since discovered that to make huger profits for their advertisers, they needed to create radio & tv stations aimed only at a specific segment of the population. Unfortunately, the American public suffers, as not surprsingly, many young people today have never heard of Beethoveen, Mozart, or even Gershwin. They only equate music with rap & hip hop artists because they only watch MTV. This leads me to me to the belief that begining of the downfall of listening to and appreciating music for music sake, began with MTV. Try turning OFF the picture on a lot of those music videos and tell me how satisfying the music alone sounds.

I get the feeling from the posts from some of the pro's here, that the measure of success is how much money you make, or how many gigs you play a week. Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but the financial rewards of making music is not the driving force behind my passion for music & performing. As with the other arts (painting, photography, writing, etc) there are many types and levels of art to choose from. People pursue these in different ways and to pursue different goals. My personal goal in music is to preserve the appreciation of classic american pop standards for future generations. What brings me most personal satisfaction is when people in the audience who are in their twenties come up to me and tell me how much I have broadened their appreciation for classic pop standards, and that because of me, they have now added sinatra to their CD of collection. The fact that I'm able to make a living at this, because there are enough people willing to pay me, is just the icing on the cake.

I view the arranger keyboard, not so much for its OMB potential to make more money, but more as a tool which allows me to 'perform independently', freeing me from the things that can go wrong when working with other musicians: endless rehearsals, flakey no shows, and disagreements between band members.

Everyone here must decide their own music career path, as everyone has different priorities. Perhaps it's because I live in a large metropolitan area where arts & music appreciation flourish, and that is the reason there are enough people here who enjoy going out to actually sit and 'listen' to live music. Will I get rich quick, perhaps not, but I'm certainly financially comfortable, so I will continue to do what I love most, passing on the american tradition of classic pop music.

Scott

Scott I'm not sure but I would assume by knowing you for a few years that your a single guy ......if that fact is true I think your statement would definitly be different minded if you added a wife, four kids, house and all the things of a family man....Yes my passion for music is very strong and has been that way since I was 7yrs old or I wouldn't be a fulltime Pro Musician for 35 years+ and couldn't think of doing anythng else.....
A love for musicianship, playing, & performing must be coupled with a persons financial needs to survive and thats the bottom line...imo

Donnie, you took the words right out my mouth, lol!



Bill, (and Patty, Kristin, Brittany and Tara plus a dog, 2 hamsters and 2 guinea pigs)

...in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 11-08-2004).]

Donny & Bill

I fully understand your point, realizing we all have differing priorities & financial responsibilities.

I just decided instead, to chose the path of augmenting my music performance income by teaching music & providing music related computer consulting. This allows me to perform the kind of music I enjoy most, and with enough client & audience interest to make a half way decent living to boot. Life is good, at least for now. Luckily (for me), I'm able to be fairly selective in the types of gigs I take, and doing a gig involving pretend (fake) playing or lip syncing, acting as a DJ or karaoke host just aren't among them (no offense to DJ/karoake hosts intended). Making enough money to live a satisfying & comfortable life is of course essential, but its up to each of us to determine 'how much' is enough. The bottom line is that we all have to do what is comfortable for us. Afterall, we have to live with the consequences afterwards. Everyone has to decide where they personally 'draw the line' of musical performance decency, as performing in a strip club may be an acceptable & often lucrative option for some out there.

- Scott

Even the strippers sometimes use 'fakers'
(So I've been told)

I think that easy-song-arranger button is fantastic. Imagine taking a midi file and then choosing a different style and the midi file adapts to this? WOW, how come I haven't heard of this before.

Very Cool....Does the PSR3000 have this function?

Nope.

Scott

I believe Ketron arrangers do this. My XD3 had this functionality although I never saw a use for it personally.

Perhaps the SD1 and XD9 have it as well.

Tommy

It will last as long as you want, as long as you're perceptive enough to see what it takes to 'sell' your music (or performance). It reminds me of those jazz groups in the 60s who had to do absolutely nothing but play their music... be cool, smoke a cigarette, maybe once in awhile announce the name of the next song with all the enthusiasm of Sgt Joe Friday. How times have changed.

Technology is a double edged sword. The AK itself is an incredible advancement in technology... having such an instrument < 2 years I'm still amased. However, some musicians, and increasingly non-musicians, will be using the AK, SMFs, and other music technology in ways some of us might see as inappropriate, or 'cheating'. While those items are debatable, it's never-the-less happening... more and more all the time.

Therefore, as entertainers, get beyond that mind set and realize it's all about entertainment. While musicianship is important, 'entertainmentship' is more important... at least to most audiences you and I will face.

Nowdays, developing a rappore, interacting with your audience, in the appropriate way, depending on the venue, is critical. Give them what they want! You have to be perceptive enough to know what that is. In front of a dance floor it's one thing, in a concert venue it's another.

Bottom line, embrace the technology however you can - make it part of your arsenol and forget about what others are doing. Then give 'em (audience) what you (should) know they want, the right music, the best equipment you can afford, keep developing your chops and technique... and never stop having fun with it!

Does anyone know if the Performance Assistant
function will work on any midi file or does it have to be a Scorch or XF file? Thanks.

[This message has been edited by ChuckH (edited 11-10-2004).]

Very good post and advice Glenn I agree!