Have you had success at playing with other live musicians when using your arranger keyboard? What are you experiences and suggestions? For an upcoming gig I will apparently be accompanied by a guitarist and a percussionist (have not rehearsed with either of them yet...and not sure I'll get the chance!). They wanted to also add a drummer but that's where I put my foot down. Years ago I tried muting the drum tracks of the styles and having a live drummer follow the other tracks - it was a nightmare.... Has anyone ever made that work?

I use a live guitar player now because that's the only musician we have. It works great. I just turn down the guitar parts on my PA1x pro and he fills in the rest or adds on top.

If We were able to get a live drummer I would just tog to layered sounds and not use the arranger functions.

hope this helps,

Jeff

Marck-

I've had good success with a sax guy and a pedal steel guy. I had poor success with a drummer/bass player.

A few other guys have had good results with other rythym section pieces...so, its a mixed bag, I'm afraid...

As long as the other two musicians listen and try to compliment what your arranger is doing...theoretically at least...it should be ok...

Good luck-

Bill in Dayton

I would suggest if you are playing with other rhythm players..guitar and drummer...forget the arranger..turn it off..play left hand bass and right hand parts..

Some drummers can play along with an arranger/ sequencer.,interaction. We are lucky, we have one of those drummers..

Guitar and sax should have no problems, they have to follow a chord progression , no matter what method.

I would think you 'd enjoy playing with good instrumentalist in a band situation..just turn the automatic stuff off..of course if they are not good, that is another story..who needs them

Forgot to mention..never turn your drum tracks off and expect a drummer to play along with the other parts..they can't do it..they have to be a follower, and not the pace[tempo] setter..they need the click track, or reference track..I would have them play over the drum track..only..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 01-24-2007).]

It's worked well for me with sax and guitar...
t.

I'm with Tony...a good guitar and sax works nicely, and I do that kind of thing often. Also, a good percussionist (in my case, the sax/flute player doubles on percussion) works nicely. Bill hit it on the head. Bass and drums can be a nightmare with arranger function. If you use either, it's often best to turn off the arranger function and play left-hand bass (using the arranger drums is possible) or let the bass and drums cover the job.


The good news is, YOU control the job and have a lot of flexibility

, in terms of how you put the group together. If you run into trouble, send them all home, turn on the arranger and "knock em dead" (just kidding). Man, it would be good to have a little time with the other players so they can see how things will go down.


good luck!


Russ

Try a 6 piece (including vocalists) with keyboard, bass, lead guitar and sax players (instrumentalists) and 2 lead/background vocalist. All I do is mute the Bass track ... with Reggae, Soca, Salsa ... etc the enegry is just right.

The Arranger alone may sound cleaner ... however it is very very difficult to do a solo act in a night club and expect people to dance ... they do clap best though ...

AJ

Marc,

No rehersals, plus working with a drummer--NAH! This spells disaster. Forget the drummer, stick with the guitar player, and if you have to get a sax player. Or, better yet, hire a drop-dead georgous female vocalist with an incredible voice.

Good Luck,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Rats. After all these years of watching what I THOUGHT was people dancing. Sheesh ..... thanx for popping my bubble, AJ.



Seriously - there is SOME truth in what he says. It's difficult, but FAR from impossible. Like the song says:

"The difficult, I'll do right now ... the impossible will take a little while!"

Remember how to get to Carnagie Hall folks ....

Oh yes, one more quick thought -
I'm on my way to a nightclub in Atlantic City to so a solo dance act. Wish me luck!