I need to modernize my playlist as far as playing over SMFs is concerned. I use styles 90% of the time, playing hundreds of tunes from the 30's to 70's. I have that many midikaraoke files for vocal.

The problem is I recognize newer tunes when I hear them, but can't recall titles to search for. If I could get a list or files of must have tunes from 70's to 80's, I would appreciate it.

Hi Bernie

A good place to start is:

www.oldiestunes.com

Its free !!!!!!!!!! all you need is to register. Use our powerful search engine to find what you are looking for. What you will get is a midi file, a fake sheet and a mp3


Ron

you got mail Bernie

Ron
I have your sight bookmarked, but forgot all about it-thanks.

Donny
Thank you

I understand what you are trying to do Bernie. My thoughts; Begin to tune in and listen, and listen, you will know what is good.

In my band years in New York I had to sing many songs that maybe I should not have. Johnny B. Good is one of the songs that I played at almost every event. When I listen to the original recording I knew I fell short; this is when I turned to the Harmony Vocalizer for help. I heard Sinatra sing Leroy Brown – he should not have sang that song; he did not have the feel.

I did what most musicians do when they first start collecting Midi files, I could not get them into my PC fast enough. 90% of my files have never been touched. The sad part is that most of the midi files that I got from the internet were not very good. My sax playing friend spends hours editing them until he gets what he wants. He has little choice playing a melody instrument.

Wow, I’m running off here. What I am trying to say is that because off age and exposure I am limited. I search for that song that fits John keeping my limitation right up front. I have heard too many musicians sing songs that they should never had touched. So now I am in the business of hiding my voice in the middle of my TC Helicon – it works. Keep listening to rock on YouTube.

John C.
PS, I am not putting myself down here; many of the younger musicians that are into Big Band/Sinatra also fall a bit short. Bernie, I’m trying but I am not sure any of this helps.

John C., My fail-safe system kicks in when I do songs I shouldn't do. We've been married 34 years and she has no reservations as far as telling me "don't do that song". I don't always listen though.
I cannot do Piano Man properly. I have to either start it so low that it sounds bad, or modulate on the chorus, and then go back down for the next verse. There are others of course. We can't all do every type song.

Ditto!

Gary

... one other thought! I have become, over the years, a jack-of-all trades type musician. I can do a somewhat decent job with most types of music.
I'm not certain that is always a good idea though. It might well be better to find your niche and concentrate on that. For example Russ can play anything, but he markets himself primarily as a jazz artist in the venues where he works for the public. There are quite a number of guys around here that do nothing but Country, or nothing but Blues. Several bands do just 50's, 60's, 70's. They have found their niche and it seems to be working.
I suppose my niche is that I don't have one. I know my reputation on this forum is being a primarily country music player but that really isn't true. I do enjoy doing it and do it a lot, but I sometimes go all night without doing a country song. It all depends on the audience and what I think they want to hear and to what they will respond.
Hope this isn't getting too far off topic, but it's cold and rainy and the house is full of my in-laws!

I'm editing this post because I just checked my Facebook page and found this post from one of my local musician friends.


"Well-- tonite we kick off our new year at Bossier City -- VFW on Jeter St. 7:00 til 11:00 -- join myself, Tom Coty, Berto, and Little Joe Perot, for some hand clappin', toe tappin', finger lickin', country pickin'. If you enjoy GOOD country music-- we promise you a good time. If you show up and don't like country music--- well it's gonna be a LONG NITE."

Don I love the way cold and rainy and in-laws went together.
Ha Ha

John C.

We always knew when my mother-in-law walked in the house for a visit...the furnace used to switch on...and, the mice started throwing themselves in the traps.

Ian

John

Thank you for your comments, but I was looking for the newer instrumentals, which I now have. Nonetheless, I agree with your appraisal of the vocals. I have thousands of midikaraoke and CDG's, and few are in the nineties or newer. I too can do a decent job with what I am comfortable with, which isn't screaming kids repeating unintelligible phrases.

When one is older than many in the NH's I play, it is time modernize to the last 30 years at least.

Bernie,
I going through all my yesterday music and changing the styles to a more up-to-date feel. I knew I had to do this years ago but got lost in whatever. 5 foot 2 can be played in so many different types of styles – When I change the styles I will be changing me.

Here I go, I’m ready to admit this one. I truly love Big Band and Sinatra type of music, I grew up loving it – BUT I am finding that many of the old beats/styles are no longer as exciting as they once were.

Wow, it’s happening. Time to get excited; or better said , It is time I’m being to feel younger. (Big Grin)

John C.
PS, Instrumentals; what’s that? Give me an example.

I tried putting this on PM and received a "Not found" message.

Hi Bernie, You have for the most part been right there with new equipment, especially keyboards; so why are you still using a S910 instead of a S950?

I need an opinion -- I love my Pa 800 Korg, and have just bought a Korg MicroArranger to carry under my arm, but it would be nice to add some new exciting that comes with FedEx and the package he delivers .

I have been looking at the S950 and the Korg Pa 900. (no Tyros for me)

If I can get my energy level up it would be nice to visit and talk stuff.

John Cintorino

John, I think you would love the PA900. I had both the PSR S950 and the Korg at the same time, and it was an easy decision for me. Of course everyone has his own tastes and preferences.

John

The reason I didn't go for the S950 is because I didn't need another main board. I chose a used(barely) Yamaha to see if it was a better fit for smaller venues and the added cost of an S950 wasn't worth it for my purposes. The audio styles(few) was hardly an enticement when I have my AJAMsonic Audya, which is an amazing machine.

The S950 is great as a Tyros alternative for others however. Hammer had his for sale at the Yamaha site the last I knew.

To round out my sounds, I am still working through the ins and outs of the Roland BK-9 I just bought from Frankie. It to is going to be a great 76 key light addition to my arsenal. It is more difficult than the Yamaha in that OOTB sounds need tweaking more. Conversely, it is more live and typically Roland. which I like.

Hey-Different strokes