How many use the list below, and how do you use them?

1-The four variations of the style.
2-The OTS assigned instruments for the four variations.
3-The pads.
4-And use more than one style in the same song.
5-Use Favoritws for additional instruments.
6-Use Panel memory in Normal mode with Band setups.

Using more than one style allows you to have different OTS sets of four instruments. I have gone from Big Band Up to Slow ballad in the same tempo, same song – what an effect.
Please share your ideas, John C.

OOPS Somehow hit the wrong button and posted before I was ready. Will try again.

1. Yes
2. No
3. Sometimes but rarely
4. Yes - I almost always copy the styles that I want to use into Composer memories as a part of the song setup. Then I use the panel memories to select the appropriate Composer memory while I am playing the song.
5. No
6. No

I use eight or more panel memories for each song, that are set up with appropriate rhythm and voicing for the portion of the song I am playing. That gives me access to every rhythm and voice that is available in the entire keyboard for the panel memory that I am using at that time. I increment through the panel memories as I am playing, using a foot pedal. I seldom have to look at the keyboard when I am playing because there is no need to poke at buttons while I am playing the song.

Bob and me do it exactly the same way...it seems...
Rog

JOHN: Several weeks ago you and I had an email exchange about this very subject....How do each of us set up our 7K's to play our music. We decided to put our program's on floppy disc and mail to each other.....I am still waiting for your floppy and address.

BOB & ROGER: How about considering an exchange of floppy's? From what I am reading here each person has a unique way to set up a program and play. Seems to me we might all gain a great deal in sharing via floppy disc exchange.

EVERYONE who will exchange floppies via "snail mail" with me will receive one in return..... Send a private email with your address to receive a floppy of my most current program. The alternative is to acquire my snail mail address to send a floppy of your most currnt program and I will return same to you.

To see the lights come on when a floppy created by another player goes into the machine is an accurate way to share this valuable information IMO...Just reading what others do is just not the same thing....

"Show & Tell" works best for me.... SD cards will not work for me because they have become very scarce...(1G size)...

Elizabeth

Elizabeth, I am not confident that I fully understand what you are looking for when you ask for our “program”. If you are talking about how the panel memories are set up, the answer is that they are different and unique for each song. If you are talking about how a gig is set up, you can’t get that on a floppy disk. In my case it is dependent on use of a SD card because I use SD Favorite Songs as the method of loading the setup for each song. That data is located in the KN7000mn.inf file of the SD card along with other stuff such as the long song names that are used by the keyboard. A floppy disk load cannot interpret that file. And I’m not anxious to go through the hassle of mailing floppy disks, anyway. Let me try this.

Assume that you want to set up panel memories for each section of the song that you want to play. Select the voicing and rhythm that you want to use at the start of the song. Save that into Panel Memory Bank A, memory 1. Then, as you progress through the song you should find a point that you feel a need to change rhythm and/or voicing. Make that change and save it into PM Bank A memory 2. Proceed through the song and as you find the next point that you want a change, make the change and save that in the next panel memory proceeding through PM Bank A from 1 to 8. If you need more changes move to Bank B memory 1 and continue through memory 8. If you still need more changes, move to Bank C memory 1 and continue through memory 8. That gives you 24 possible changes in rhythm and/or voicing for each song. And, you have the option of choosing any of all the rhythms and voices that exist in the entire keyboard for each panel memory. You can also make changes in tempo as well, as you progress through the song. All you have to do is touch the foot switch that increments panel memory at the appropriate time, and the keyboard will be set up the way you want it for the next portion of the song.

When you have the panel memories set up in the way you want for that song, save the song to your SD card in a SD memory location, using a song name appropriate for the song. Let the KN7000 decide what files to save by using the default settings. The SD load and save is so fast that it isn’t worth taking the time to be selective about what files of the keyboard are saved. When you have finished this, you have a keyboard that is set up for a specific song with rhythms and voicing that are unique for that song. It’s like having a room full of KN7000’s, each of which is ready to play a specific song. All you have to do is move to the next keyboard to play the next song. The SD load process is so fast, that you can “create” that next keyboard in less than 5 seconds with the SD load.

When you use this method (And it is not necessarily the best. It is only one method.), you really need to use foot switches. The Panel Memory selection buttons on the KN7000 are not very well ergonomically designed for manually selecting on the fly.

I use all six foot switches that are available for the KN7000. They are used for: (1) Rhythm Start/Stop, (2) Fill-in 1, (3) Fill-in 2, (4) Panel Memory Increment, (5) Panel Memory Decrement, (6) Intro/Ending 1. I put notations on my lead sheet that indicate where I usually want Panel Memory changes, or Fill-in’s, etc.

Just a short note ---
First, Elizabeth I did not forget you, every time I open my mail I see your name. Cataract surgery for my wife, my music partner had hip surgery followed by another operation for hernia, and me, I have struggled with a cough/cold that held on for five weeks. Since mid-January there has been a constant flow of sickness among my closest friends. My friend George has to stop playing his guitar, his hands will not allow it anylonger. He has played all his life and we have played every Friday morning for the last three years. As for myself I feeling great now, finally, but it is a bit scary.
As far as this topic goes, the one I started, I feel we need to add to our post how we are using our keyboard. If one is working with singers and putting on a show and another plays mostly at home, and still another is playing Gigs/Jobs – the method of operation must be different.

My reason for this post is that I am discovering new ways to use my keyboard for a listening audience – no dancing. I take a song like Green Street and take it through every feeling that I can up with displaying the ability of the Kn7000. Drums being added, moods changing, and many instrument changes -- Classical musicians may refer to that as variation on a theme. (Ops, a poor example, I tried)
I will do my best to record what I am talking about, hearing will explain far more than my words.
John C.

I use two different methods, when playing at gigs. I go out with a guy who plays guitar and sings the 60s and 70s songs and the gigs are generally of the 'Dinner and Dance' type.
During the time the guests are eating, I generally play a selection of 'background' music - ballads, standards, evergreens etc. using either normal styles (built-in, composer or self made) and they serve the purpose well. I use the Panel memories and footswitches, more or less as described by Bob, with the set-up for each song/tune individually loaded from an SD file.

When the guests have finished eating and want to 'shake a leg', I use a different technique, when accompanying my singing guitar player. We try to get an authentic representation of each of the 60s and 70s songs, with all the 'licks' and nuances included, and this is just not possible using 'normal' 4 measure, repetative styles from any source. To this end, by listening to the original recordings, I make my own Composer style for each song, generally using 8, 12 or 16 measure Variations, with Intro, Ending and Fill-Ins if necessary. Sometimes a song 'Style' can be implemented just using the 4 Variations in Composer Bank A, but often they require additional Variations, so I use Composer B and on rare occasions - Composer C also. This entails a considerable amount of work, as you can imagine, but I enjoy the challenge and a successful outcome is very satisfying !

Having constructed all the parts of a song in the composer, I then create a Sequence, without using the Right1, Right2 and Left parts, but include the Control Track which takes care of all the Panel Memory changes, together with any Fill-In, Performance Pad, Technichord etc. triggers - no need to use footswitches or any of the Panel Controls. Since I don't use 'The Dots', this means that every performance of a song, will have an identical accompaniment - as the singer would expect - but it still leaves me free to extemporise, and add instrumental solo parts as required, using Right1, Right2 and Left voices, while the sequence is playing. So basically, I use the Sequencer and Composer, to create a complete individual 'Style' for a song. Each song set-up and sequence, is loaded from SD Card, as normal.

Most of the songs here : http://www.willumspages.co.uk/page9.html (between numbers 117 and 194, which are 60s/70s, Beatles, ABBA etc.), were created this way and are some of our songs used during gigs. They are used without the melody line, of course - since this is added as a vocal.

BOB...WOW! It would be so much easier(for me)if you would pack up an RV and come out here to NM and be my neighbor for a few years...I might have a chance to learn maybe half of what you know about the 7K!!!

What I mean by "program" is whatever is loaded on one of the SD card "folders." Each of my Panel Memories (PM) has a rhythm I have tweaked to my hear. From time to time I change the instruments in the rhythm, and also those in the "Sound Memory." These are also "tweaked" to my hear. The instruments in my rhythm selections are also changed/tweaked for my hear.

Each "Memory Bank" has a title. Bank A is Latin Rhythms, B is "Super Good Sounz", C is "Piano Combo's"...then Jazz, Big Band, etc... The whole KB is set up for each PM, many overlap. The Performance Pads are also included. There is nothing I do that seems at all "special." Just really basic stuff that works quite well for me. Imagining making 8 changes of PM's with rhythm, instruments, timing, etc. changing in one song....WOW!

I would love to hear your method of setting up your 7K for just one song! That sounds like real intensive labor! Thank you for the wonderfully detailed description on just how you accomplish all that you do! It appears that you use just about every option available! Somehow it sounds like it is a real challenge to create the changes that are made between each PM! Slicing up one song into 8 pieces just boggles my mind!

For me, starting with a piano in RT 1, a mellow alto sax in RT2, and an Elec Bass in LFT... During play it is easy to turn either RT 1 or 2 off, engage the performance pad, move up or down a step in the "Music Style Arranger" (MSA) and turn the "Sound Arranger" (SA) on/off. All of this is done "on the fly".... I do have the six foot switches set up like yours although I do not use them at all anymore.

All that you do is just amazing! I would love to watch and hear you play! Thank you so much for all the wonderful sharing you do! Bob...you are a treasure!

Elizabeth

BILL NORRIE....

I LOVE your website! Your music is beautiful! I go there often just to browse and listen.

The method of set up and play you use is yet another very wonderful way to get so much from the AWESOME 7K!

Once in awhile I have an urge to just sit down and play whatever wants to flow from my fingers. Usually nothing that I would want anyone to hear! Which comes first, the melody in the head or the melody from the fingers?? My eldest daughter composes, sings and plays whatever instrument she fancies...by hear or dots! I keep thinking that if she can do that....surely I could learn?

So far I have not even toyed with the "Composer" or much with the sequencer either. The "Control Track" you mention in your description of what you do with the sequencer...I will have to take a look at that for more clarity....

There is so much to learn about this wonderful KB...and so little time just to play and enjoy sharing with others! As long as my audiences of "elders" are happy with my music, I am even happier!

I still think we all aught to hire a cruise ship just for us...we would not need any "Activities Director" to keep us happy, just several 7K's all together and our pockets full of our own SD cards and music for those who need to see the dots!
Good food would be a must as well... Nothing else would be required or wanted...That would be a paradise!

Elizabeth

JOHN.... I really did not think that you had forgotten our exchange agreement... Hopefully your life will slow down enough for awhile so that you can get a floppy and your snail mail address off to me soooooon?????

My bro, 14 months my senior, plays bagpipes, guitar, and I do not know what else....his hands are really crippled with arthritis...mine not so much... Bro still plays golf! I never could do that well enough to even justify lugging my clubs to the courses!

Others I know have also given up their music for various old age related reasons. My hands only hurt when I am NOT playing!

Yes, I certainly agree that we play differently for different circumstances...A solo guitarist who plays at high-end dinner places, mostly soft BB music, stops by once in awhile to visit and do music with me. I remove the guitars from my music and of course must play in his key and with very little beyond a soft drum, piano & sax... It is fun for me to have the challenge of playing with him... He has not been here for about a year so maybe it was not so great for him!

A delicious young man from Scotland has been here to visit and play music with me a couple of times... Mike, like my daughter is multi-talented and a real joy to play music with! His wife is a beginning banjo player. We have a great time together. I would love for them to live here or at least have our park as their home park. They live on the Isle of Wight (sp?) and winter here in the states in their RV that is parked in MO some-where....

Maybe you can talk Bob into buying the MotorHome you have for sale, or drive it out here to NM for a KB jam with me? There is very little/no humidity in our bright sunshiny days!

I like this thread very much. Thanks for starting it John...

Elizabeth

Is it possible to zip up the contents of a 7K floppy to be attached to a posting here for people to download and then unzip to a 7K floppy?

If there is Nigel.... I will need VERY detailed instructions! Also no special equipment!

I suspect sending and receiving floppies will be the easiest way for me to exchange music....

Elizabeth

Dear Gang,
For what it is worth, I follow the procedure that Bob uses. Each setup is for a specific song and are saved in a group of 14 or 15 with the name of the CD they are from plus the name of the song. They are a mixture of various styles, intros and ending utilizing anywhere from 8 to 12 panel memories. I don't have a foot-switch like Bob does, so I use Control Preset on the 3rd Bank of the Pads which lets me move forward and backward in the panel memories with 6 and 4 Pad buttons. This arrangement is not perfect if I need to use a Pad style,because I have to remember to change the next PM on the wheel. I put every style in the Composer for easy edit and of course always Save in the Expand mode. I have the contents of almost 50 CD's on each of 3 SD cards and since I no longer play dances, finding the song I'm looking for is quite easy in a concert setting.
Frank

.

'Sharing Ideas that make your Song more Interesting' was the heading, and I would like to take this thread in that direction.

As a professional performer and entertainer most of my adult life, I have had to make my music interesting, to keep my audience's attention.

To make my life even harder, I rarely sing, other than when doing home recording, when I can use all the gizmo's, like my Helicon VH Machine, and I also still use a 1950's Tape loop echo, which I love, almost as much as my Valve Amps!! - Can anyone remember the lovely glow, and smell of those old 6V6 valves as they got hot ?? - Ahhh! - an almost forgotten era!
The majority of my work in later years was playing 'strict tempo' for Modern Ballroom Dancing.

The first asset for my music is non-musical. I 'win' the audience with 'patter' - Not 'And the next song I will play is 'So and So' written by 'So and So', and made famous by 'So and so'. I am talking about interaction between the Audience and yourself - Light hearted banter and repartee. The audience will WANT to hear my music! They love me, I have them in the palm of my hand !!

If you are the most miserable and anti social being on the planet, you become an actor, and are the most kindly and loveable person your audience has ever met!!

OK - off we go !!... A song has verses that are repeated over and over again - BORING!! So what can we, as musicians do, to relieve the boredom? ..... Start off nice and quietly, with just a single instrument leading - if its a piano, just single notes .. End of first verse ... Same again, but with right hand arpeggios, twiddles and trills, triad chords here and there, and build up towards a crescendo - end of second verse. Time for a 'Fill' here, while you set up (lets say) orchestra and Violin - another verse, a fill at the end of it, change to Brass section and Trumpet, transpose up a semitone, and give it some 'welly', heading towards the end of the verse with a massive crescendo, and while the 'Outro' plays, some little light twiddles in that key with your right hand. Just one of the many ways to 'build up' a song - adding as you go, keeping interest.
Vary this by building up to the penultimate verse, and go out quietly on the last one, potherwise the format of your music becomes stale and boring.. Using these methods plus whatever you can add to the above example, will make you sound more competent, more 'listenable', and most importantly get you more work !!

Here is a little example of 'variation' - Played on my FX20 Organ, that was new in 1983 and cost almost 6,000 pounds (9,000 US Dollars) - in todays equivalent due to inflation, at least twice that amount! I played it for over 15 years, and still regret selling it !!

Click Here ........ BLUE VELVET


Now and again, turn, or lift your head to look at the audience - my audience is always the clock or similar at the end of the hall or venue, and I smile, cast glances at it, and between songs talk to it !! People can put you off!

Playing Music is an art. Presenting your art is a job that you serve an apprenticeship to, and is much harder than learning or playing an instrument - Just as some players are 'Naturals' - so are Presenters. You present a performance.

I believe I was so lucky, as when I started, I played piano around the pubs (in the days when every pub had a piano, and employed the same pianist 3 or 4 nights a week). No different voices, just same old piano ssound. You HAD to be an entertainer! Then about 1965 we had electronic organs, then keyboards around 1980 which quickly got better and better, then finally, Karaoke, which killed everything!


Just like a good meal - Presentation and content go about 50% each, without good packaging your music will fail !!

Oh dear! I have waffled and reminsced again (its an old 'farts privilege!!), and possibly upset those who dislike 'chat' on the Forum !! I hope just one member finds my 'epistles' interesting and informative'.

Kind regards

John


.

.

Elizabeth, there is nothing elaborate nor even difficult in what most of us do when we set up the keyboard for a song. And, after you do it a few times you would be surprised at how fast it can be done. I often start with a song that I had done previously that is similar in nature and uses a general rhythm pattern like I want for the new song. Then I change Composer memories and voicing so that the background and voicing is more uniquely suited for the song I am working on. Usually this only takes a few minutes. For me, as I use the setup several times I tend to notice little changes that I want. I make those changes and save the results. So the library is being tweaked often as the setup is being used. No one can teach you because only you know how you want the song to sound. It is just a matter of giving it a try.

You said; “Slicing up one song into 8 pieces just boggles my mind!”. I think that you do it all the time. You just don’t think about it that way. All of us who have played more than a couple of years know the things that John A talked about when he elaborated on the need for variations in voicing and rhythm as we played a song. That’s why we talk about using multiple changes as we play the song. I’m surprised that no one talked about bridging to a different key. You talked about moving between RT-1 and RT-2. When you do that, it is the same thing others do when they change to the next panel memory. You have sliced the song into another piece. Do that four times as you play the song and another four times as you play the song through a second time and you have sliced the song into eight pieces as you said other people do.

The fact that most of us make the changes by selecting a different panel memory as opposed to the way you (and I think John C) change voicing or rhythm is not all that important. As long as your method works for you, it is the right method. I just happen to prefer using panel memory changes with a foot switch because I often find that I want a change right when I am trying to change chords and am playing a fast right hand. It just isn’t physically possible for me any other way. And, I like the ability to change both rhythm and voicing (and sometimes tempo) with a single tap with my foot. The method that you use is almost identical to the way we used to do it with older keyboards before Technics gave us the super fast SD card to work with.

BOB....Yes of course you are correct... I do slice my songs up as I play. My method is just different than yours. That is the beauty of the Awesome 7K!! It is a machine for everyone to squeeze whatever is wanted into glorious music!

This is the very reason I suggested exchanging floppies! I am one of those extremely curious individuals...love to experience how things, and people work their magic!

I was the kid who took everything apart to see how it works!
Also was able to get all the parts back together leaving none out!

Thank you for your wonderful descriptions of how you create your very special music.

Elizabeth

I work similar to Bob. However, sometimes when I think I know of a saved tune that uses just the style I'm looking for, when I play it, more often than not, it isn't the 'masterpiece' I thought it was particularly if a few days/weeks have lapsed since I last played it, but it is fun re-tweaking it. Surprising how many variations you can get out of one tune....Anyone else have this problem I wonder?

Audrey

Audrey
I think playing around with different styles and tempos for the same tune is good fun and can be quite interesting.
Like you say what sounds great on one playing session doesn't always sound good the next time

Peter B

Hi Elizabeth, I am sure SD cards of 2mb capacity are still available down here. They still work in any!! KN7 as far as I know.
I will enquire, and if I am correct I will let you know and you may be able to buy them on the net. Otherwise I suppose I will have to snail mail them to you. Surely you would still like to stay in the 21st century. and avoid using floppies. Although I confess to having quite a collection myself. (They are becoming scarce here as well)!!
Ray
Back to the topic... I use basically the same system as others ....setting up and saving to Panel Memory for immediate recall using the footswitch

Audrey.
I recently bought 4x1gb SD Cards from:
oddsandpods.co.uk for £3.99 each +pp.(3.95)
They come in their individual cases and work on the KN7

Regards
Peter B.

RAY....
2G SD cards are plentiful even here in remote S.E. NM.
The 1G SD cards are "scarce as hens teeth" as my Grandmother used to say.... Being a "frugal Frieda"...I keep looking! Most likely I will get the 2G cards which are actually cheaper than the 1G when they were first available!

Elizabeth